SCHOOL OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION
Pan-African University, Lagos
CONFERENCE CALL
JOURNALISM AND NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES IN AFRICA: NEW TECHNOLOGIES,
NEW PRACTICES AND THE RENEWAL OF MEDIA TRAINING IN AFRICA
(August 23 - 27 2009)
The institution of media as we know it is being transformed
virtually beyond recognition right before our eyes. The advent of
the internet in the late nineteen nineties, leading to the near
total dominance of new media technologies and the ICT in general,
has engendered new journalism practices, well beyond the notion of
technology as aid. As illustration, networked journalism, citizen
journalism (including the IReport on Cable News Network) and the
frequent recourse of major news networks to such reports in major
news bulletins; the rise of social networks as a means of
self-presentation; the rise of blogs; the reliance of major
newspapers, radio and television on their websites for in-depth or
further depth=8A all these point to what amounts to a paradigm shift
in the global practice of journalism.
In Africa, the changes are less noticed. But the rise and rise of
satellite television (Multichoice, Hi Tv, DAAR Communication among
others); the emergence of such dedicated networks as CNBC-Africa l
show an alternative movement from the past. This movement, if not
premised on technological difference, but on a shift away from
public broadcasting or free to air, to pay per view, is also
changing media consumption patterns.
These developments raise fundamental questions about how we think
and practice and teach media in Africa. This conference is billed as
a meeting point of industry and the academy in Africa, and between
the public and private sectors. Besides the key thematic issue of
the transforming role of ICT in journalism practices, we are
concerned to bring to the fore sub-thematic problems of funding,
capacity and inadequate infrastructure. No less germane are
questions of policy as governments struggle to come to terms with
the aspirations of industry in virtually all African countries. From
the point of view of the academy, inadequate training facilities
conspire with inadequately prepared faculty and out of date
curriculum to keep the continent playing catch-up.
To address these and similar issues, 500-word abstracts are invited
from scholars, industry practitioners and public officials. Industry
practitioners may be journalists and media managers or from media
technology equipment and service providers. Companies wishing to
show case their products are also invited for the conference-long
exhibition and workshops that will form an integral part of this event.
Conference Sub-themes
A. Conceptualizing and Theorizing the New Media
Convergence and Interactivity
One-to-many; many-to-many: corporations and new media
What is New about the New Media?
B. New Journalism Practices
Networked journalism
Citizen journalism
Streaming in electronic media
C. New Media and Media Enterprise in Africa and Elsewhere
E-commerce
E-governance
E-social networks
D. Curriculum and Training Regimes
Media Enterprise
Restructuring Media Training
Role of ICT in Training Delivery
Virtual Classrooms: E-learning Tools
E. Contexts and Environments of new media practices
Access Issues
Political and Social Contexts
Policy Issues
Economic and =46inancial Issues
Business and Enterprise Management Issues
Assistance to African Participants
We hope to secure some funding in the months ahead. Participants
from Africa wishing to attend may apply for these funds in any of
the following three categories: (a) full funding to cover airfare
and accommodation; (b) airfare only; (c) accommodation only. Kindly
note that funding in categories (a) and (b) is quite limited.
Participants are therefore strongly encouraged to seek other sources
of funding. Tea and lunch are provided for all participants.
Conference Fees
(a) Participants from outside Africa $150.00
(b) Participant from Africa but excluding Nigeria $100.00
(c) Participants from Nigeria N10,000
Note that fees are not based on nationality or other factors but on
usual place of residence.
Conference Organizers
a) Abstracts and academic issues should be addressed to Miss
A=F1ulika Agina at
<3D.htm>(aagina /at/ smc.edu.ng)
b) Exhibition issues should be addressed to Mrs Tayo Akinyede at
<3D.htm>(takinyede /at/ smc.edu.ng)
c) Workshop and hospitality issues should be addressed to Miss
Ijeoma Nwezeh at
<3D.htm>(inwezeh /at/ smc.edu.ng)
Conference Convener
Prof. Emevwo Biakolo
Dean, School of Media and Communication
Pan-African University
Lagos
Nigeria
--
A=F1uli Agina
School of Media and Communication
Pan-African University
2, Ahmed Onibudo Street, Victoria Island
P.O.Box 73688, Victoria Island, Lagos
Tel: (01) 4616170-2, 2711617-20
<3D.htm>www.smc.edu.ng
