I am a journalist and researcher focused on misinformation, journalism studies, digital media, and Africa-China media dynamics. I blend field reporting with academic inquiry to understand how information flows across media ecosystems and how digital technologies shape public discourse. Currently, I am a Visiting Scholar at Academia Sinica in Taipei, with multiple fellowships and research roles across Africa and Europe. My work spans topics from PRC influence operations to freedom of expression and decolonising journalism studies. I am passionate about producing rigorous scholarship and accessible journalism that informs policy and public understanding.

Emeka Lucky Umejei

I am a journalist and researcher focused on misinformation, journalism studies, digital media, and Africa-China media dynamics. I blend field reporting with academic inquiry to understand how information flows across media ecosystems and how digital technologies shape public discourse. Currently, I am a Visiting Scholar at Academia Sinica in Taipei, with multiple fellowships and research roles across Africa and Europe. My work spans topics from PRC influence operations to freedom of expression and decolonising journalism studies. I am passionate about producing rigorous scholarship and accessible journalism that informs policy and public understanding.

Available to hire

I am a journalist and researcher focused on misinformation, journalism studies, digital media, and Africa-China media dynamics. I blend field reporting with academic inquiry to understand how information flows across media ecosystems and how digital technologies shape public discourse.

Currently, I am a Visiting Scholar at Academia Sinica in Taipei, with multiple fellowships and research roles across Africa and Europe. My work spans topics from PRC influence operations to freedom of expression and decolonising journalism studies. I am passionate about producing rigorous scholarship and accessible journalism that informs policy and public understanding.

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Work Experience

Visiting Scholar at Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Researching 'One China' Policy: Media Framing of PRC-Eswatini Diplomatic Tension.
Associated Researcher at Centre for Global Cooperation Research, Inter-Faculty Research Centre of the University of Duisburg-Essen
July 1, 2025 - Present
Researching Digital Media and Pentecostalism in sub-Saharan Africa.
Senior Research Associate at Department of Communication and Media Studies, University of Johannesburg
November 1, 2024 - Present
Research and publication on misinformation, journalism studies, digital media and Chinese media and decolonisation of journalism studies.
Research Associate at African Centre for the Study of the US, University of the Witwatersrand
March 1, 2022 - Present
Research and publication on misinformation, journalism studies, and digital media.
Research Lead at Nigerian Community, ConflictNet, Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, University of Oxford
August 1, 2023 - May 1, 2024
Researching the influence of digital technology on dispute resolution in the Nigerian community in Johannesburg.
Research Coordinator at Safeguarding Freedom of Expression from Coercive Legal Pressure in Tanzania, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
May 1, 2023 - September 1, 2023
Coordinated research on the PRC’s efforts to use legal systems and institutions to undermine freedom of information in Tanzania.
Advisor at Logically.ai, The Logically Ltd
February 27, 2023 - June 30, 2023
Provided advisory services on how to identify and respond to PRC-backed disinformation, propaganda, and polarization campaigns in the DRC.
Advisor at Logically.ai, The Logically Ltd
July 1, 2023 - January 7, 2024
Provided advisory services on how to identify and respond to the Russian Disinformation network in Southern Africa.
Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow, Ly, Scholar at International Forum for Democratic Studies, National Endowment for Democracy
October 1, 2022 - February 28, 2023
Topic: Belt and Road News Network: An Investigation of China’s Influence Operation in African media.
TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visit Fellow at University of Tubingen
August 1, 2022 - September 30, 2022
#ChinaMustExplain: Resisting Chinese Racial Discrimination Against Africans on Twitter.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Centre for Global Cooperation Research, University of Duisburg-Essen
September 1, 2021 - August 31, 2022
Topic: US-China Technology Decoupling: Clash of Two ‘Internets’ in Africa.
Lecturer at Department of Communication Studies, University of Ghana
December 1, 2020 - April 1, 2022
Taught and supervised master’s students in multimedia journalism, print journalism, advanced print journalism, and international communication.
Visiting Assistant Professor at Journalism and Media Studies, American University of Nigeria
October 1, 2018 - December 31, 2020
Taught courses in digital media, peace journalism, feature writing, specialised reporting, and social media dynamics; coordinated Senior Research Projects for CMD students.
Nigerian Media Expert at Nigerian Media Landscape, European Journalism Centre
August 1, 2018 - October 31, 2018
Consultancy on Nigerian media landscape.
Research Associate at Department of Media Studies, University of the Witwatersrand
August 1, 2017 - December 31, 2018
Project on China, Africa and the Future of the Internet; taught Media Economics and African Media Systems to postgraduate students.
Lead Supervisor at Political Reporting Group, Department of Journalism, Wits
June 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Coordinated honours supervision for the political reporting group.
Resident Mentor at Wits University Humanities Mentorship Programme
April 1, 2017 - September 30, 2018
Mentored six students (four PhDs and two master's); advised on fieldwork, interviews, and ethics.
Guest Lecturer at Media, Democracy and Development, University of the Witwatersrand
May 1, 2016 - May 31, 2016
Guest lecturer for third-year students.
Guest Lecturer at African Studies, American University
March 1, 2021 - March 31, 2021
Guest lecturer for Master’s students.
Student Reporter at Open Source Newspaper (Highway Africa Daily Conference Newspaper)
September 1, 2012 - December 31, 2013
Student reporting during conference.
Correspondent at Goge Africa Television
June 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006
Correspondent for GogeAfrica.tv.
Reporter, Science Desk at Independent Newspapers, Lagos
June 1, 2008 - December 31, 2009
Reporter on science desk.
Correspondent, Science and Agric at Independent Newspapers, Lagos
December 1, 2009 - February 28, 2014
Correspondent covering science and agriculture.
Business Editor at Leadership Newspapers, Abuja
October 1, 2014 - February 28, 2015
Business editing responsibilities.
Features Writer at Independent Newspapers, Lagos
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2014
Features writer across desk.
English Language Editor at Sipanews.org (West Africa Network of Journalists for Responsible Fishing)
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2020
English language editing for online newspaper.

Education

PhD in Journalism and Media Studies at University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
January 11, 2030 - December 1, 2017
MA in Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
January 11, 2030 - March 1, 2014

Qualifications

Johns Hopkins University CARI-SAIS Workshop Fellowship on Writing for Impact: Translating Academic Research into Policy briefs, Op-eds, and long-form articles
October 10, 2019 - October 11, 2019
SSRC’s News Quality in the Platform Era workshop fellowship
October 12, 2020 - October 15, 2020
US Embassy Small Grant for the Maiden Edition of State of the Ghanaian Media
September 1, 2021 - July 31, 2022
Regional Research for China Index in four African Countries
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Regional Research for China Index in four African Countries
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Freedom House BGMI Grant for research on Chinese-owned Satellite TV in Nigeria
October 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
China Index Community Project Grant for Media Engagement with Journalists in Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania
May 1, 2025 - August 31, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other