Archive for 2010

[Previous message][Next message][Back to index]

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

Thu Sep 16 10:31:18 GMT 2010



*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 >





[Previous message][Next message][Back to index]