[ecrea] two calls for papers for upcoming special issues of/ Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies/

> *Apologies for
> cross-posting*
>
>
> Please see below (and attached) two calls for papers for upcoming special
> issues of/ Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies/
>
> *Call for Articles - Special Issue of /Ecquid Novi: African Journalism
> Studies/*
>
> *Vol. 32:2, 2011: Media Freedom in Africa*
>
> *Deadline for submissions of full papers:* 30 November 2010
>
> *Contact:* Send all submissions to Herman Wasserman, 
> (h.wasserman /at/ ru.ac.za)
> <
> mailto:(h.wasserman /at/ ru.ac.za)>
>
> /Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies /is now listed on the ISI 
> Social Science Citation Index and will be published by Routledge as from
> 2011. For author information see:
>
> http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/RECQ
>
> The controversial proposals in South Africa for a Protection of Public
> Information Bill and a Media Appeals Tribunal have caused widespread
> concern in that country. These proposed measures are seen as threats to
> freedom of _expression_ and of the media, and have met with resistance
> from civil society, journalists and journalism educators in South Africa
> and internationally.
>
> Some see the latest developments in South Africa as following a trend in
> other postcolonial African states of restricting the freedom of 
> journalists to act as watchdogs of the public and to report on 
> corruption often endemic in African countries. Journalists and editors
> favour self-regulation as the remedy for the excesses of the media. 
> Others dismiss the view that South Africa is following in the footsteps
> of other African countries as informed by an Afro-pessimistic attitude,
> and point to the imperfections of journalism (such as 'brown-envelope
> journalism' or the influence wielded by capital over editorial content)
> as justification for stronger controls.
>
> This issue of /Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies/ wants to 
> consider the debates around media freedom in South Africa as a point of
> departure to examine the state of media freedom on the African continent
> in general. Articles are invited that examine various or different 
> aspects of the relationship between the media, government and capital,
> assess existing regulatory processes and analyse the discourses around
> notions of 'freedom', 'responsibility' and the 'public
> interest'.
>
> Articles taking an analytical approach rather than providing descriptive
> overviews, especially comparative analyses, will receive preference.
> Empirical studies, including case studies and content analyses, are also
> welcomed.
>
> Questions may include but are not limited to:
>
>     * · How do statutory restrictions on media freedom in
> Africa impact
>       on journalism?
>     * · What are the main normative frameworks to which
> journalists and
>       politicians in Africa appeal?
>     * · Is there a tension between media freedom and calls
> for
>       journalism to serve a developmental or
> socially reconstructive
>       function in African societies?
>     * · What media accountability systems exist in Africa,
> and how could
>       they be improved?
>     * · How do media ownership and diversity impact on
> journalism
>       practice in African countries?
>     * · How should journalism education respond to threats
> to media freedom?
>     * · How can journalism contribute to critical
> citizenship in a
>       climate of mistrust?
>     * · How does the situation pertaining to media freedom
> in South
>       Africa compare to the position of the
> media elsewhere in Africa?
>
>
> *Call for Articles - Special Issue of /Ecquid Novi: African Journalism
> Studies/*
>
> *Vol. 32:3, 2011: Media and the production of public debate in
> Africa***
>
> * *
>
> *Guest Editor:* Anthea Garman (School of Journalism and Media Studies,
> Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa)
> *Deadline for abstracts: *October 30, 2010
> *Deadline for full papers: *February 7, 2011
> *Contact: *Send all submissions to Anthea Garman,
> (a.garman /at/ ru.ac.za)
>
> /Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies /is now listed on the ISI 
> Social Science Citation Index and will be published by Routledge as from
> 2011. For author information see:
>
> http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/RECQ
>
> Research article submissions are invited for a special issue of /Ecquid
> Novi: African Journalism Studies /on the theme of "Media and the
> production of public debate in Africa"
>
> Many theorists have taken issue with the public sphere as the normative
> standard, as defined by Habermas. The modern configuration of media 
> institutions, political power and issues aired in public does not 
> necessarily lead to either the formation of recognisable public opinion
> or to social and political change.
>
> If we use the Habermas study as an "indispensable point of
> theoretical 
> departure" (as Calhoun, 1992, advises), we may find that an
> examination 
> of "actually existing" public spheres (to use Nancy Fraser's
> phrase) 
> offers up insights into the new and inventive ways publics in Africa
> today are using public spaces to air topics of concern and interest via
> different mediums.
>
> Political, social, economic and aesthetic questions about agency, 
> identity, belonging and voice, provoked by our contemporary context, may
> be well served by a relook at public spheres, public deliberation, 
> public debate and public intellectual activity, and the way various 
> types of media are providing platforms for journalism in Africa
> today.
>
> This edition calls for papers which elucidate the working of and uses of
> public sphere in Africa now. Submissions are sought on:
>
>     * · case studies and empirical studies as well as
>       critical-analytical overview papers
>     * · contributions and performances in public that may
> not be
>       considered classic cases of
> 'rational-critical' debate, but which
>       are raising pertinent issues of identity,
> citizenship, voice,
>       belonging, authenticity, authority and
> power.
>     * · different 'journalisms' in Africa and the
> construction of
>       alternative public spheres
>
>
>
>
> Herman Wasserman
> Professor of Journalism and Media/Cultural Studies
> School of Journalism and Media Studies
> Rhodes University
> PO Box 94
> Grahamstown
> 6140
> South Africa
> Tel +27 (046) 603 7141
> Fax +27 (0)862735345
> Email:(h.wasserman /at/ ru.ac.za)
> Web:http://www.ru.ac.za/jms/staff/mediastudies
>
> Editor, Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies
> <
> http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/RECQ>
>
> Just published:
>
> Popular Media, Democracy and Development in Africa
> <
> http://www.routledge.com/9780415577946>
>
> Tabloid Journalism in South Africa
> <
> http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=245435
> >