Ylva Rodny-Gumede is Professor in the Department of Journalism, Film and Television in the School of Communication at the University of Johannesburg and a Senior Associate Researcher with the Stanhope Centre for International Communications Policy Research at the London School of Economics. She holds a PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London University as well as an MA degree in Politics from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and an MA in Journalism from Cardiff University in the U.K.
Ylva is a former journalist and has also worked in marketing and PR. In addition, she has consulted for several government, private and academic institutions in Europe and Southern Africa on issues concerning media and democracy, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education, and the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
Ylva holds a C 3 rating from the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and is the current President of the South African Communications and Media Association (SACOMM). Her current research includes investigating the future of African media and communications studies, including that of journalism. She has also published research on questions related to the broader transformation of higher education in South Africa.
Research publications
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. A teaching philosophy of journalism education in the global South: A South African case study, Journalism, Theory, Practice and Criticism. Vol 19(6): 747-761.
2018 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. No Pain No Gain? Reflections on decolonization and higher education in South Africa, Africa Education Review. Vol 15 (2)
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Undercover reporting, The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies.
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Bridging critical and administrative research paradigms in the interest of a politically engaged African research agenda. In Palgrave handbook on media and communication research in Africa, edited by Bruce Mutsvairo. London: Palgrave.
2018 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Decolonising Communication Studies: Advancing the discipline through fermenting participation studies, In Palgrave handbook on media and communication research in Africa, edited by Bruce Mutsvairo. London: Palgrave.
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Fake it till you make it: The role and impact of fake news on the media-politics nexus. In Perspectives on political communications in Africa, edited by Bruce Mutsvairo. London: Palgrave.
2018 Gudipaty, N & Lago, C & Pasti, S & Xu, Y & Li, X & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Gender: Moving towards professional equality, in The BRICS Journalist in the Age of Net Mobility, edited by Svetlana Pasti and Jyotika Ramaprasad pp. 104-129.
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Towards new co-creational approaches for research and supervision in professional journalism degree programmes, African Journalism Studies. Vol 38 (3&4): 100-117.
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y & Chasi, C. Ubuntu values individuals: An analysis of eulogies of Mandela, Journal of Literary Studies. Vol 33 (4): 106-123.
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Ubuntu and the cinematic dramaturgy of Elelwani, Communitas. Vol 22 (1): 16-30.
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. The centrality of media hearings to transitional justice processes, in Limits to transition: A Critique of the TRC, edited by Karen van Merle and Mia Swart. Leiden; Boston: Brill Nijhof publishers, pp. 253-281.
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y & Milton, V & Mano, W. 2017. Rethinking the link between Media and Democracy in the post-colony: One size does not fit all. Communicatio, Vol 43 (2):1-9.
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Questioning the media-democracy relationship: The case of South Africa, Communicatio. Vol 43 (2): 10-20.
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Social media and the re-affirmation of the role of 'journalism': Cursory notes on the potential for widening the public sphere in a postcolonial society, Interactions: Studies in Communication and Culture.Vol 8(2&3): 169-187.
2017 Chasi, C and Rodny-Gumede, Y. High deception in Higher education, in Deception: Motivations, Recognition Techniques and Behavioral Control, edited by Innocent Chiluwa. New York: Nova Science Publishers.
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. The impact of social media on journalism, in P.J. Fourie Media studies Vol 4: Social (new) media and mediated communication today. Cape Town: Juta, pp. 267-292.
2017 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Reconciler, harmoniser, and trouble maker: A thematic analysis of tributes to Mandela, in Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: Decolonial Ethics of Liberation and Servant Leadership, edited by Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni & Busani Ngcaweni. New York: Africa World Press.
2016 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Ubuntu journalism and nation-building magic, Critical Arts. Vol 30(5): 728-744.
2016 Rodny-Gumede, Y & Chasi, C. The truth and nothing but the truth: A re-affirmation and re-evaluation of undercover journalism practices, African Journalism Studies. Vol 37(3): 107-128.
2016 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Smash and grab, truth and dare…, International Communication Gazette. Vol 78 (7): 694-700.
2016 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Awareness towards Peace Journalism among Foreign Correspondents in Africa, Media and Communication. Vol 4 (1): 80-93
2016 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Coverage of Marikana: War and conflict and the case for peace (journalism), in Conflict in Area studies. Routledge. http://explore.tandfonline.com/page/ah/conflict-research-collection/in-area-studies#31572
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Re-conceptualising the analysis of trajectories of media development in post-colonial societies, Global Media and Communication. Vol 11(2): 131-146.
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Gender and public discourse formation in South Africa: Male and female journalists' influence on news agendas, Communicatio: South African journal for Communication Theory and Research. 41(2): 206-219
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y.South African journalists' conceptualisation of professionalism and deviations form normative liberal values. Communicare 33(2): 54-69.
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. An assessment of the public interest and ideas of the public in South Africa and the adoption of 'Ubuntu journalism', Journal of Media Ethics. Vol 30 (2): 109-124.
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Coverage of Marikana: War and conflict and the case for peace (journalism), Social Dynamics: A Journal of African Studies. Vol 41(2): 359-374.
2015 Swart, M & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Introduction: Considering the aftermath of Marikana, Social Dynamics. Vol 41 (2): 323-326.
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. 2015. Male and female journalists' perceptions of their power to influence news agendas and public discourses, in Gender issues in Communication. Routledge. http://explore.tandfonline.com/page/ah/gender-issues-in-communication
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y & Hyde-Clarke, N. Conducting online research and the use of online sources: South African journalist practices. In Online Journalism in Africa. Edited by Mabweazara, H. New York: Routledge, pp.104-120.
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Review of Brown, R. (2013) A native of nowhere: The life of Nat Nakasa (Jacana) in Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Vol 35 (3): 120-122.
2013 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Review of Shaw, I & Lynch, J & Hackett, R. (Eds). (2011) Expanding peace journalism (Sydney University Press) in Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies Vol 34 (2).
2013 Ogola, G. & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Current quality levels in the journalism of South Africa and Kenya.In The Future of Quality News: A cross continental analysis. Edited by Anderson, J & Ogola, G & Williams, M. New York: Routledge, 227-247.
2013 Rodny-Gumede, Y. The local in the global: Challenges of teaching global journalism. Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies. Vol 34 (2):128-141.
2012 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Race, class and gender and the transformation of the South African news media. Journal of Gender and Religion in Africa. December 2012 Vol 18: 159-176.
2012 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Peace journalism and the usage of online sources. Communicare, Vol 31: 57-74.
2011 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Analysing ethics and political bias in South African news media. In Communication and Media Ethics in South Africa. Edited by Hyde-Clarke, N. Cape Town, SA: Juta, 147-175.
2010 Rodny-Gumede,Y. Review of Daya K. Thussu (Ed.) (2009) International Communication a Reader (Routledge) in Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies, Vol 31(2):248-252.
2010 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Review of Daya K. Thussu (Ed.) (2009) Internationalizing Media Studies: Impediments and imperatives (Routledge) in Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies, Vol 31(2): 248-252.
Articles, opinion pieces and reports in the mainstream media
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. The role of the news media in reporting on conflict. The Journalist, 25 July, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/journalism-in-sadc-from-autocracy-to-democracy
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. News gathering has changed from Fourth Estate journalism. Sunday Independent, 15 July. https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/journalism-has-been-hit-by-new-forces-but-is-adapting-16033886
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Forging transparent, caring journalism. AfroVoice, 11 June.
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Future proofing journalism. The Journalist, 29 May, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/future-proofing-journalism
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. The lifeblood of the political beat: SONA in the media and the #SPHERE, The Journalist, 22 February, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/the-lifeblood-of-the-political-beat.
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Fake news: SA's nasty new media business? Here's how we kill it, Biznews, 6 February, http://www.biznews.com/thought-leaders/2017/02/06/fake-news-media-business
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Fake news: the internet has turned an age-old problem into a new threat. NewZealand Herald, 5 February. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11795238
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Fake news: the internet has turned an age-old problem into a new threat. The Conversation, 2 February. https://theconversation.com/fake-news-the-internet-has-turned-an-age-old-problem-into-a-new-threat-72111
2016 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Between journalist and activist. The Journalist, 14 November, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/spotlight/between-journalist-and-activist
2016 Rodny-Gumede, Y & Chasi, C. The truth and nothing but the truth: Re-affirming undercover journalism practices. The Journalist, 12 October, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/the-truth-and-nothing-but-the-truth
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y and Chasi, C. Revealing uncomfortable truths, AllAfrica. Com, 17 November, http://allafrica.com/stories/201511201591.html.
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Marikana masacre: How South African journalism failed the test. Mail&Guardian, 25 November, http://mg.co.za/article/2015-11-25-marikana-massacre-how-south-african-journalism-failed-the-test
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. In search of the truth: Investigative journalist's fearelss pursuit of justice, The journalist, 25 November, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/in-search-of-the-truth
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Marikana massacre: how South African journalism failed the test. The Conversation, 25 November, https://theconversation.com/marikana-massacre-how-south-african-journalism-failed-the-test-51130
2015 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Revealing uncomfortable truths: De-colonizing higher education, a challenge to academic scholarship. The Journalist, 18 November http://www.thejournalist.org.za/spotlight/revealing-uncomfortable-truths
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Have we reached the end of journalism? Adapting in the face of rapid social and technological change. The journalist, 16 October, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/spotlight/have-we-reached-the-end-of-journalism
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Have our leaders read the Constitution? The journalist, 21 March, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/spotlight/have-our-leaders-read-the-constitution
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Challenges of Teaching Journalism at the University of Johannesburg. Rhodes Journalism Review 34.
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Ett inlagg i debatten on universitets utbildningen i Sydafrika efter apartheid (transl. A comment on university education in South Africa post apartheid). Universitetsläraren 11. http://www.sulf.se/Universitetslararen/Arkiv/2014/Nummer-11/Fordomsfullt-om-sydafrikanska-universitet/
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Covering the Balkan's. Prufrock Vol 2(4).
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Lack of transformation in South African news rooms. South African Media report. Fredrich Eberhart Stiftung.
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Women's voices missing in public discourse. SABC Online, http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/7ff136004605f141abbdeb6c1fa77d05/Womens-voices-missing-in-public-discourse.
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Women's voices missing in public discourse. The Journalist, October 29. http://www.thejournalist.org.za/news/womens-voices-missing-public-discourse