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<p>Throughout history and across political contexts, archival systems have been vulnerable to manipulation, censorship, destruction, and ideological distortion especially under repressive regimes. This study examines how authoritarian/repressive governments weaponize archival power to legitimize dominant narratives, erase dissenting voices, and manufacture selective histories. Using a qualitative documentary analysis approach, the study systematically reviews published scholarship, government documents, historical records, and case studies from Africa, The findings revealed five interrelated strategies of archival oppression: destruction of evidence, censorship and restricted access, fabrication of misleading records, surveillance-based documentation, and selective preservation aligned with dominant ideologies. These practices compromise archival authenticity, undermine transparency, and erode public trust in official memory systems. The paper concludes that archival manipulation is not merely a technical violation but a profound ethical and political act that reshapes what societies know, remember, or forget. Safeguarding archival integrity requires institutional accountability, digital preservation frameworks, inclusive documentation practices, and robust governance mechanisms, especially in politically fragile contexts. The study underscores the urgent need to strengthen archival resilience in the face of ongoing threats posed by state power, digital vulnerabilities, and emerging information risks.</p>

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Repressive regimes and the manipulations of archival records: an investigation into selected countries in Africa

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月16日

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  • Kofi Koranteng Adu

摘要

Throughout history and across political contexts, archival systems have been vulnerable to manipulation, censorship, destruction, and ideological distortion especially under repressive regimes. This study examines how authoritarian/repressive governments weaponize archival power to legitimize dominant narratives, erase dissenting voices, and manufacture selective histories. Using a qualitative documentary analysis approach, the study systematically reviews published scholarship, government documents, historical records, and case studies from Africa, The findings revealed five interrelated strategies of archival oppression: destruction of evidence, censorship and restricted access, fabrication of misleading records, surveillance-based documentation, and selective preservation aligned with dominant ideologies. These practices compromise archival authenticity, undermine transparency, and erode public trust in official memory systems. The paper concludes that archival manipulation is not merely a technical violation but a profound ethical and political act that reshapes what societies know, remember, or forget. Safeguarding archival integrity requires institutional accountability, digital preservation frameworks, inclusive documentation practices, and robust governance mechanisms, especially in politically fragile contexts. The study underscores the urgent need to strengthen archival resilience in the face of ongoing threats posed by state power, digital vulnerabilities, and emerging information risks.