In this book, Dr. Minabere Ibelema explained that civic cynicism among Africans is one of the enablers that has permitted  democracy to stall in Africa.  According to Dr. Ibelema, this state has permeated throughout African society and is just as damaging to Africa as the rule of Big Men. Dr. Ibelema urges the African press to address this issue in order to encourage constructive civic participation by Africans to counter corruption and hold their leaders accountable for poor governance.  The African Press, Civic Cynism, And Democracy is the winner of the Sigma Delta Chi Award, given by The Society of Professional Journalists.

Dr. Ibelema is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at the University Alabama, Birmingham.