Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Nigeria hosts journalism and new media conference

Registration has commenced for the forthcoming Conference on Journalism and New Media Technologies in Africa organised by the School of Media and Communication of the Pan African University in Lagos, Nigeria. The conference is scheduled in Lagos from 23 - 27 August 2009 at the Honeywell Group Auditorium of the Pan African University's Lekki, Lagos campus.
According to a statement issued by the conference convener, Professor Emevwo Biakolo, the conference seeks to address the challenges posed by the emergence of new media technologies and how these technologies affect the study and practice of media and communication in Africa. In his words "the advent of the internet in the late 90's leading to the near total dominance of the new media technologies and ICT in general, has engendered new journalism practices well beyond the notion of technology as aid."

He cited the rise of networked journalism, citizenship journalism, blogging, online publishing and social networks as an indication of a paradigm shift in global media practice which raises fundamental questions about how we think, practice and teach media in Africa.

The conference which is designed to be a meeting point of industry and academy and between the private and public sectors will address the key theme of transforming the role of ICTs in journalism practice. It will also bring to the fore such sub themes as the problems of funding, capacity, government policy and inadequate infrastructure.

To address these sub themes, the conference had earlier in the year called for 500 word abstracts from scholars, industry practitioners and public officials including journalists or managers from new media technology, equipment and service providers.

Companies wishing to showcase their products are also invited for the conference-long exhibition and workshops that will form an integral part of the event.

To register, practitioners are directed to fill an online registration form by at www.smc.edu.ng/conference/register.

Conference fees are US$150.00 for participants from outside Africa; US$100.00 for participants from Africa excluding Nigeria; and N10,000 for participants from Nigeria.

Conference abstracts and papers should be addressed to Anulika Ajina by email to aagina@smc.edu.ng.
Workshop and hospitality issues should be addressed to Ijeoma Nwezeh by email to inwezeh@smc.edu.ng.
Exhibition issues should be addressed to Tayo Akinyede at takinyede@smc.edu.ng.

http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/157/15/38576.html

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