Penplusbytes Organises Roundtable Discussion On Extractive Sector For Journalists

International Institute of ICT Journalism - Penplusbytes in partnership with Revenue Watch institute – Natural Resource Charter (RWI-NRC) is organising a roundtable for 32 journalists and editors who have successfully completed “Strengthening Media Oversight over Extractive Industries” training programme on the theme: “Gas Commercialization as a Solution to Ghana’s Energy Crisis – Myth or Reality?" in Accra

The refresher workshop and mentoring roundtable is aimed at bringing together past trainee journalists who have benefited from this initiative to engage with Stakeholders in the Oil and Gas sector on topical issues and developments within the sector.

Penplusbytes working with other partners in Uganda and Tanzania have since 2010 trained nearly a hundred journalists on skills and knowledge needed to effectively report on the extractive sector in Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania. This has resulted not only in an increased reportage of oil and gas stories but also, and more importantly, an improvement in the depth, content, scope and impact of oil and gas stories in the media landscape in the 3 selected countries.

This year, the project is being supported by STAR-Ghana with the view to consolidating and sustaining the outcomes and gains achieved by the project. With great interest in enhancing accountability, improving responsiveness and ensuring increased transparency, Star-Ghana aims to support and empower the media in their oversight responsibility in order to ensure the efficient management of revenues from the extractive sector, adequate provision of essential public goods and efficient public service delivery.

According to Kwami Ahiabenu II, president of Penplusbytes, “The key objective of this event is to sustain the interest of Ghanaian journalists in covering the extractive sectors, update journalists’ knowledge of current and emerging governance issues in the sector and to provide a platform for journalists to seek the advice of mentors and exchange ideas.”

Dr. Joe Asamoah an eminent expert in the oil and gas sector and energy economist will deliver the key note address with other such as Dr. George Lugalambi, the media program officer of RWI-NRC,Dr. Mohammed Amin, Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP),and Dr Arne Disch, Managing Partner Scanteam, Norwegian independent advisory group with extensive field-experience from 100 countries.

A second workshop/roundtable is scheduled for the second half of this year.

Editor’s Note
The Revenue Watch Institute is a non-profit policy institute and grant-making organization that promotes the effective, transparent and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources for the public good through capacity building, technical assistance, research and advocacy.
Penplusbytes is a not-for-profit organization established in 2001 that seeks to empower the media through the use of Information and Communications Technology to advance better journalism in the coverage of governance and accountability, new media and innovations, and mining, oil and gas sectors.
Star-Ghana is a multi- donor pooled funding mechanism (Funded by DFID, DANIDA, EU and USAID) to increase the influence of civil society and Parliament in the governance of public goods and service delivery, with the ultimate goal of improving the accountability and responsiveness of Ghana´s government, traditional authorities and the private sector.

GNPC Oil and Gas Learning Foundation – Call For Application

GNPC OIL AND GAS LEARNING FOUNDATION ( GNPC FOUNDATION)  is an autonomous entity set up to ensure the training of citizens of Ghana for the development of national capacity in all aspects of petroleum operations. The GNPC FOUNDATION is now calling for applications from eligible Ghanaians who wish to benefit from its scholarships programme.
APPLICATION PROCESS
APPLICATION  FOR MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMMES
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants for Master’s Degree Programme Must:

• Be a citizen of Ghana
• Ideally have a minimum of Second Class Upper Division, Bachelor’s Degree
• Have obtained admission into a recognized University to pursue a course of study in Geosciences; Petroleum / Engineering, and Oil and Gas related disciplines
• Not be a current beneficiary of Scholarship administered by another Institution
• Not be more than 35 years old as at the date of starting the programme
• Demonstrate commitment to return to Ghana upon completion of the programme (if programme is undertaken outside Ghana)  to contribute to national development
• Have successfully completed the National Service Programme

Documentary evidence of continuing / enrolment in the academic programme would be required from the Registrar of beneficiary’s University during the period of the programme.
Note: The Eligibility criteria are subject to Modification without notice.

APPLICATION  FOR DOCTORAL [PHD] PROGRAMME
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants For Doctoral [PhD] Degree Programme Must

• Be a citizen of Ghana
• Have Master’s Degree in relevant discipline
• Have secured admission into a recognized university to pursue a course of study in Geosciences; Petroleum / Engineering, and Oil and Gas related disciplines.
• Not be a current beneficiary of Scholarship administered by another Institution

• Note more than forty [40] years of age as at the date of starting the programme
• Have successfully completed the National Service Programme
• Have a letter of consent from a proposed supervisor
• Demonstrate commitment to return to Ghana upon completion of the programme (if programme is undertaken outside Ghana)  to contribute to national development

An applicant for a doctoral programme may be required to submit a research proposal.
Documentary evidence of continuing / enrolment in the academic programme would be required from the Registrar of beneficiary’s University during the period of the programme.
Note: The Eligibility criteria are subject to Modification without notice.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must provide the following

• Application Letter for Scholarship/Financial Assistance signed by applicant. Application must itemize the costs, and indicate the total cost of attending he Programme.
• Copy of Admission Letter – from University / Institution applicant plans to attend.
• Photocopy of Academic Certificate(s)
  Bachelor’s Degree Certificate, for applicants enrolling on Masters’ Degree programme
  Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree for applicants enrolling on PhD programme
• A photocopy of applicant’s Bio-date page of passport
• A copy of the National Service Certificate
• Applicant’s Resume/Curriculum Vitae [CV]
• Details of all Course related Costs as provided by the University /  Institution
• Copy of Course Modules  or Programme Segments [also provide Links to University website]
• Statement of Purpose: Choice of Academic Programmes, and relevance to local eceonomic / environment; Career Objective and how participation in the academic programme will contribute to the achievement of career objective; an outline of plan to apply or transfer new/specific knowledge and skills acquired – upon completing the programme -  to create incremental growth in sphere of work
• Letter of consent/support from present employer  - if employed or if on study leave. The letter should indicate that applicant will be returning to his/her present employer at the end of the programme.
• Shortlisted applicants would be required to present the following documents at an interview for verification:

Originals of:

• Academic Certificate(s)
• Transcript of Academic Record ( in a sealed envelope sent from Applicant’s University, directly to the GNPC Foundation)
• Passport
• National Service Certificate

Successful applicant will be required to provide additional information/materials, including two passport pictures. Execution of a BOND would also be required from successful applicants
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
The scholarship will cover tuition fees and other expenses
APPLICANTION SUBMISSION AND CONTACT DETAILS
ALL APLICATIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO:
THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY,
GNPC OIL AND GAS LEARNING FOUNDATION
BY REGISTERED POST TO:
P.O. BOX CT 8387, CANTONMENTS (ACCRA), GHANA.
OR BY EMS TO:
NO. 20 ORPHAN CRESCNET, LABONE, ACCRA
Near Churchees Restaurant; and opposite Sisimbo Beach Ressort, and Gambaga Forex Bureau
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATONS
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED NOT LATER THAN CLOSE F BUSINESS ON 30^TH APRIL 2014.

Opportunity : 2014 Student Media Grants Program.

The Howard G. Buffett Foundation Chair on Conflict and Development at Texas A&M University is now accepting proposals for the 2014 Student Media Grants Program.

The #SMGP is an annual photojournalism grant awarded to students interested in using innovative methods to research and chronicle issues facing fragile and conflict-affected nations. Students are encouraged to use “Fragile: The Human Condition”, a book by Howard G. Buffett as an example of the photography and documentation at the nexus of conflict and development.

Students should submit proposals that will describe the anticipated travel, research, and photographic subjects. They should choose an international development area that reflects issues of food insecurity, health, education, land tenure, poverty, and other issues faced by people in fragile and conflict-affected nations.

During their experience, students will be required to accomplish the following:

• Show three-month engagement (minimum) with international development issues through Extension activities, internships, student research, etc.
• Write a series of blog postings for the ConDev Blog during their experience, and document their chosen subjects through photo and/or video journalism that draws attention to conflict and development issues.
• Publish or exhibit the results of their work in a form of refereed media with the possibility of publishing with Texas A&M University Press.

Interested students should submit a proposal by May 14, 2014, that outlines their intended use of grant funds, with details about locations to be visited, issues to be studied, how the funds will be used and any special needs.

Proposals should be:

• No more than four 8.5×11 pages
• 12 point, Times New Roman font

Proposals must include:

• A cover sheet with their personal contact details including academic year and academic department with at least two faculty or staff references
• Thematic focus
• Motivation for doing this work (½ to 1 page)
• Planned activities over a 3-month period
• Plans for blogging
• Target media for publication
• Timeline
• Budget
• Travel dates

Proposals should be submitted to condev@tamu.edu with “#SMGP 2014: [Name of Student]” as the subject line, and only one proposal can be submitted per student. Awards can be used during the 2014-2015 academic year. An award is not expected to exceed $5,000 per awardee and will be made at the discretion of the Chair.

Each applicant must show evidence of good health and medical insurance that is valid in the area to which the student is expected to travel and can be included as part of the budget. Each student must register his or her emergency contact information with the Study Abroad Programs Office. A letter signed by the student’s supervising professor must accompany the application.

The program is open for both undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate students may not travel to a country where there is a U.S. Department of State travel warning in place. A second round may be required that will consist of individual interviews.

All work produced by Fellows will be used by the Chair and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation to advance advocacy and public awareness of critical issues facing international development. Information about the #SMGP grantees and their associated projects will be presented annually to the Board of Advisors of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation Chair on Conflict & Development and the H. G. Buffett Foundation.

There will be unrestricted access and use of published materials by these entities to advance mutual goals. Fellows will sign a release granting these permissions.

All questions, concern, and/or inquiries can be directed to: Melanie Balinas atcondev@condevcenter.org or 979-458-9399.

source : http://condevcenter.org/smgp-2014-open-for-proposals/

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International Institute for ICT Journalism
www.penplusbytes.org

Graphic Workers Undergo Training in Data Journalism

TEN members of staff of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) have undergone a three-day intensive training in data journalism intended to build their capacity to bring innovative and investigative skills to bear on their reporting.

The training formed part of the company's initiative to undertake a data journalism policy, strategy development and an implementation plan for its newsroom in order to build capacity in the use of techniques in data journalism.

Administered by the International Institute for ICT Journalism — Penplusbytes, the training brought together 10 selected members of the Graphic team that comprised reporters, designers, and IT and online personnel.

Participants were introduced to data journalism, the processes involved in data journalism,various sources of data and how to analyse data-driven stories.
Officials from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and a data expert took participants through statistics in general and ways of extracting datafrom unstructured sources.

At a ceremony to present certificates to the participants, the Managing Director of the GCGL, Mr Kenneth Ashigbey, said the companywas playing a vanguard Tole in the art of assessing, processing and visualising data to tell eye-catching, easy-to-understand and fact-based data stories which mostly lay beyond the power of the normal traditional journalism.

In his remarks, the President of Penplusbytes, Mr Kwami Ahiabenu II, said: "We are excited to work with the GCGL on the data journalism capacity-building project and confident that the data journalism skills and knowledge of team members will be strengthened, thereby putting them - in a better position to leverage the techniques of data journalism in innovative news gathering and presentation processes."

According to Maxwell Adombila of Graphic Business, "the training was good and very insightful. it exposed us to what data journalism is about, how beneficial it is to readers, how we can get concrete stories from it and the processes we can use in doing that."
The 10 participants are expected to produce one major data-driven story which would be published by the Graphic team.

Penplusbytes Provides Capacity Training for Multi TV s News Generation In Social Media

International Institute for ICT Journalism - Penplusbytes has successfully implemented its maiden social media training and policy project for the News Generation team at Multi TV  with support from Free Press Unlimited .

The key objective of the capacity building initiative is to improve upon the quality of programme content as well as viewership of the channel by actively engaging the target audience through interaction on all social media platforms.

As part of this project, Penplusbytes - a leading pan-African organisation in using ICTs to improve the cause of journalism - undertook social media policy development for the newsroom, Team Focus Group Discussion with audience participation, Training of Trainers and Training Workshops aimed at ensuring effective utilisation of social media in the news generation process.

The 2-day interactive training workshop took participants through: Introduction to Social Media in the newsroom, Legal & Ethical Issues, Social Media Tools and Platforms, Writing for Social Media/Web, and Social Media Policy.

Speaking at the ceremony held to award certificates to participants, Kwami Ahiabenu II, President of Penplusbytes said, “we are excited to work with News Generation Team at Multi TV on the social media capacity building project and we are confident the social media skills and knowledge of team members are now strengthened, thereby putting them in a better position to leverage social media in news generation process.“

News Generation program for young people in Ghana was established in 2011 in order to inform children and offer them their own media platform.  The News Generation programme is Ghana's first youth news bulletin, produced by Multi Media Group, with support from Free Press Unlimited which works to ensure that reliable news and information are and remain available to people across the globe. News Generation program is part of the worldwide Kids News Network.

According to Efua Acquaah-Harrison, a participant at the training and News Generation anchor, “this training has helped open my mind to the ways we are not using Social Media and thus have a new priority to evaluate its use in improving and enhancing content for broadcast for news – traditional and new media”.

Penplusbytes is a not for profit organisation that seeks to empower the media through the use of ICTs to promote high quality journalism while at the same time  working in good governance and technology, new media and innovations as well as oil, gas and mining.

Global Integrity Conference scholarship, June 13-15, Canada

Global Integrity will offer a scholarship for an African journalist (based in Africa) to attend the international investigative journalism conference "Holding Power to Account." The conference will take place in June 13-15 in Winnipeg, Canada, and is organized by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the University of Winnipeg.  The scholarship will cover the flight from the reporter’s home country in Africa to the conference, hotel, and a per diem to cover meals and transportation. If the selected journalist needs to obtain a visa to visit Canada, Global Integrity and the conference organizers will provide a supporting letter. However, if the visa is denied for any reason or not requested within a week of selection notification, the scholarship will be offered to another reporter.   To apply, African journalists should fill out this form https://www.globalintegrity.org/job/general/.  Applicants must explain in no more than 4-5 paragraphs how participating in the conference could make a difference in their journalism career or enable the reporting of a story they may be working on, or wish to work on. Global Integrity and the conference organizers will select one journalist to participate in the conference at their sole discretion.   Only applications received by April 13 will be considered. For more information about speakers, schedule, and more please visit in http://winnipeg2014.com.

	Hazel Feigenblatt // Managing Director, Research // www.globalintegrity.org GLOBAL INTEGRITY: Innovations for Transparency and Accountability Direct: +1-202-449-5160 // Office: +1-202-449-4100 // Fax: +1-866-681-8047 1889 F Street NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20006 USA What we do: http://vimeo.com/globalintegrity/what-we-do Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/globalintegrity

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International Institute for ICT Journalism
www.penplusbytes.org

How to use FOIA laws to find stories, deepen sourcing

 

by Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

 

To mark Sunshine Week, March 16-22, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press explains how journalists can use information access laws to develop stories in the public interest. This post is written by Emily Grannis, the Jack Nelson FOI Legal Fellow at the RCFP.

Freedom of information laws are invaluable resources to reporters covering any beat. The laws provide access to a wide range of government documents, from budgets to emails, and contracts to crime reports.

There are two ways to incorporate freedom of information materials into your reporting: start with the documents or start with the story.

When you start with the documents, think about which government records might be interesting to see or might contain information that will build a story. Then request them.

Starting with the story can push your coverage to new insights. Think about how the documents can beef up your story. Public records are great sources and are always on the record. Having the records when you start interviewing human sources also gives you better ammunition and makes your story stronger overall.

Documents received from FOI requests have led to hundreds of important stories, including revelations that the federal government turned down millions in international aid after Hurricane Katrina; a troubling lack of transparency aboutMedicare inspections of health care facilities; trends in thefts by TSA agents at airports; and the FBI’s practice of allowing informants to break the law.

As helpful as FOI laws can be in these types of stories, the process of requesting records can also be tedious and frustrating. Denials are common, and often government agencies fail to respond in a timely fashion. When that happens, it is important to follow up with the agency.

When an agency fails to respond at all, first reach out informally to check on the status of your request. Call or email – or do both –to initiate a dialogue with the agency. At this stage, it is also useful to know your state’s law on required response times for FOI requests. States incorporate those rules with varying levels of specificity, but it can be helpful to remind an agency of its statutory obligations.

If the agency continues to be unresponsive or denies your FOI request, the next step is an administrative appeal, if that is available. All federal agencies have administrative appeal procedures but most states do not. If you can appeal to the agency or to your state attorney general, be sure to follow the procedure carefully. It is your best chance at finding a resolution while avoiding court, but it will also position you better for litigation if that becomes necessary.

If your efforts at informal discussions and formal administrative appeals fail, the last recourse is to sue the government for the records – an expensive, time-consuming and by-no-means-guaranteed-successful last resort.

Despite the sometimes difficult process, making FOI requests is still worthwhile. The FOI process can open new lines of communication between agencies and the media, it can be the catalyst for crucial revelations and, ultimately, it can lead to a better-informed public. Records requests can also provide the basis for engaging multimedia packages and graphics to more thoroughly explain issues.

To keep a spotlight on FOI, for better or worse, it is important to include the records requests made for your stories and whether those requests were successful. As the ultimate watchdog of government officials, the public needs to know whether agencies are complying with records requests or whether reform – legislative or elective – is needed, and whether the system is working.

Freedom of information laws are critical resources to journalists and should be used and cited as often as possible in your reporting.

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International Institute for ICT Journalism
www.penplusbytes.org

UN reporting fellowship offered [Worldwide] deadline - 31 March 2014

The Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists

• Location
  New York, New York
• Sector
  Government
• Experience
  Entry Level / Mid Career
• Apply by
  Mar-31-2014

Position description

Journalists who are 25 to 35 years old and from developing countries can apply for a fellowship to report on the United Nations.

The fellowship, sponsored by the Dag Hammarskjöld Scholarship Fund for Journalists, gives participants the opportunity to report on international affairs during the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Fellows will make professional contacts, interact with seasoned journalists and gain a broader perspective on global issues.

The fellowship is open to journalists currently working full time in developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

In an effort to rotate recipient countries, the Fund will not consider journalist applications for 2014 from nations selected in 2013:  Brazil, Kenya, Pakistan and Turkey.  Journalists from these countries may apply in 2015.

Four journalists are selected each year after a review of all applications. The journalists who are awarded fellowships are given the incomparable opportunity to observe international diplomatic deliberations at the United Nations, to make professional contacts that will serve them for years to come, to interact with seasoned journalists from around the world, and to gain a broader perspective and understanding of matters of global concern.  Many past fellows have risen to prominence in their professional and countries. The program is not intended to provide basic skills training to journalists, as all participants are media professionals.

 Qualifications

Eligibility Criteria

The Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists fellowships are open to individuals who:

• -Are native of one of the developing countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. For 2013 only, the Fund will not accept applications from the countries of the 2013 Fellows – Brazil, Kenya, Pakistan and Turkey -- in an effort to rotate recipient countries.
• -Currently live in and write for media in a developing country.
• -Are between the ages of 25 and 35.
• -Have a very good command of the English language since United Nations press conferences and many documents are in English only.
• -Are currently employed full-time as professional journalists for print, television, radio or internet media organizations.
• -Have approval from their media organizations to spend up to three months in New York reporting from the United Nations.
• -Receive a commitment from their media organizations that the reports they file during the term of the Fellowship will be used and that they will continue to be paid as employees.

Application instructions

Documentation Requirements

Please include all of the following documents with your signed application. Applications WITHOUT the following documents will NOT be considered.

1. Copies of representative selections of your work, such as newspaper clippings, audio tapes, video tapes or internet submissions. The selections must be work produced in 2013 or 2014 -- not earlier. Entries with insight and originality will be considered most favorably. Investigative work is welcome.

• For newspaper clippings not in English, include an English translation or summary.
• For audio tape and video tape submissions, include a written transcription or a summary in English, even if the originals are in English.
• Video submissions should be in DVD or CD (preferably NTSC) format.  Radio applicants should send a CD or MP3.  

2. Signed letters from two individuals who supervised you and can comment on your journalism experience and qualifications.

3. Endorsement of the Fellowship application from the editor or director of the news organization that presently employs you. This endorsement must be originally signed and should:

• Grant you a leave of absence from your current duties in the event you are awarded a fellowship.
• Agrees to continue paying you as an employee during the term of the fellowship and plans to use the reports you file from the U.N.

4. Summary statement. On a separate sheet of paper, explain in not less than 300 words why you are applying for this Fellowship and what you expect to gain from the experience.

5. Two recent photographs (passport size or larger). Place these photos in a separate secure envelope and affix them to the front of your application. Do not staple the photos directly to the application form.

6. A copy of your passport. We will NOT consider applicants without a passport.

 NOTE: Applicants and/or their employers are required to provide equipment necessary for the applicants to efficiently and effectively report from the United Nations. Such equipment should include a computer, digital camera (if appropriate), audio/visual recording and equipment needed for transmission, especially for TV. Selected journalists must be prepared technically to file their news stories over WIFI, whether broadcast or print, and arrive with a computer enabled for WIFI.

You MUST INCLUDE ALL necessary documentation as outlined in the Eligibility and Documentation Requirements with your application.

Click HERE for the application in Word format
Click HERE for the application in PDF format (requires Adobe Reader, free download)

An originally completed AND signed application, along with all six (6) of the Documentation Requirements, should be sent by postal or courier service (such as DHL, Fedex, Airborne) to:

Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists
512 Northampton Street, No. 124A
Edwardsville, PA 18704 USA

apply here http://www.unjournalismfellowship.org/index.php/fellowships/eligibility 

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International Institute for ICT Journalism
www.penplusbytes.org

"Celebrating Freedom: Two Decades of Evolving Media" Register for the 2014 IPI World Congress in Cape Town

This year, the International Press Institute (IPI) celebrates the 20th anniversary of its last Congress in Cape Town, on the eve of the historic all-race elections. We are gathering the stalwarts of press freedom from around the world to not only celebrate historical transformations (both in media industry and South Africa), but also to face the future, make the predictions and focus attention on new challenges  and solutions for the media profession today.

We will have some of the most important and influential media professionals to help us explore a number of hot topics, including:

·         The New South Africa: A Look at the Media Landscape and Press Freedom 20 Years On

·         The Whistleblower and the Journalist - How Current Events Affect Press Freedom and the People’s Right to Know

·         Power Stakes - The Role of China in the Developing World

·         Photojournalism and Media Access

·         When the War on Terror Puts Journalists Behind Bars

·         Criminal Defamation and Insult Laws - Why Leaders Won’t Budge

To see the evolving Congress programme here.

We have many issues to discuss and many reasons to celebrate, and we have a lot to offer in Cape Town:

• 11 panel sessions
• Launch of the commemorative book with testimonies written and presented by IPI's living African Press Freedom Heroes
• Presentation of the IPI Free Media Pioneer Award and the IPI World Press Freedom Hero Award
• One-day Workshop: "Advanced Research on the Web" (in collaboration with Media24, Intajour and the Ford Foundation)
• International Press Freedom Cartoon Exhibition
• Interesting evening programmes and cultural events, including a special tribute to Nelson Mandela.

We will celebrate freedom using different media and different forms of expression: from dialogue and discussion, cartoons, photography and graffiti, to music and dance. Come prepared to explore, to meet new friends, to learn and to get motivated! Cape Town awaits you.

Congress registration fee

• Members: $ 1069
• Non-Members: $ 1311
• Accompanying Persons: $ 552

Reduced rates available until 15 March! This is a conference that you don’t want to miss – register here.

Questions?

If you have a question, a comment or a suggestion - please contact our team. You can also contact us through social media or IPI's websites:  Twitter, Facebook, www.ipiworldcongress.com, www.freemedia.at 

Hotel: The Westin, Cape Town - our home during the Congress

To make your stay in Cape Town affordable and hassle-free, we have negotiated special hotel rates for our Congress participants at the Hotel Westin Cape Town, starting at R 2190  per night (around $200 or €150).
But hurry – we only have a limited number of rooms left! Book your room here.

 

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International Institute for ICT Journalism
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CALL FOR PAPERS AFRICA MEDIA & DEMOCRACY CONFERENCE 2014

THE ACCRA CONFERENCE 6th - 9th AUGUST 2014: The Africa Media & Democracy

http://www.amdmc.net

Conference invites papers for its bi-annual Africa Media and Democracy
Conference, to be held from 6th - 9th AUGUST 2014, Accra, Ghana.

 Theme:
“Media, Democracy & Development”.

BACKGROUND: Africa’s emerging democracies in the last two decades have had
to co-exist with a vibrant media contestation. The media has relatively
emerged as a formidable constituent as it vie for legitimacy in
representing the broad masses. This contestation provides the framework
for critical examination on how the media impacts on the democratic
process and its relevance for development in Africa. The Conference aims
to address and examine various perspectives, interventions and issues of
media in the practice of democratic governance in Africa. The event is
open to academics, media industry professionals, government agencies,
policy makers, regulators, UN agencies, donors, civil society
organisations, independent consultants and research groups and students.

Papers are also invited on the following sub-themes listed below;
submissions could be made from a range of issues and perspectives in
relation to media, democracy and development in Africa. It must address
specific media practices in the context of democracy in Africa, such as
the role of radio commercials as political communication tool in
electioneering, the corrosive effects of partisan media practices in
popular democracy or the role of the media in the concept of popular
democracy and development etc.

Sub-Theme
Media, language and democracy
Media, language and symbolic power
Media, political rhetoric’s and political violence
Media and political communication
Media, democracy and traditional governance
Media, national institutions and democracy
Media and the conception of national agenda
Media, democracy and governance
Media, ethnic identity and democracy
Media, religious conflict and political stability
Media, conflict and crises management
Media ownership, democracy and governance
Media, concept citizenry and democracy
Media and the concept ‘good of governance’
Media and coupe d’états
Media reportage and democracy
Media, democracy and political education
Media, political activism and governance
Media, democracy and aid
Media law and regulation
Media, gender and democratization
Media, democracy and human rights
Community media and democracy
Media and Ethics
Media and African centeredness
Media and cultural politics
New Media and democracy
New Media and the renewal of local democracy
New media, democratic theory and public sphere
Digital media and the renewal of local democracy
Development democracy and the media
Media, African centeredness and democracy
National media and globalization
Class, democracy and the media
Media ownership and democracy
Political advertising
Media policies and media politics
New Media and Populism
Religion, media and democracy
Public interest journalism
Journalism in the global news world
Democracy and transformation of public spaces
Political blogging and the rhetoric of democracy
Media, location and culture
Objectivity, impartiality and the governance of journalism
E-government and Government

In addition to those listed above the organisers will consider other
relevant sub-themes from contributors.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION:
ABSTRACTS & PAPERS: Please email abstracts (maximum one page) along with
contact information and a 500-word bio to: info@amdmc.net.


GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION:
ABSTRACTS & PAPERS: Please email abstracts (maximum one page) along with
contact information and a 500-word bio to: info@amdmc.net.
All Abstracts must be in English, full papers may be submitted in either
English or French.

Deadline for receipt of abstracts: 30th March 2014
Notice of acceptance of abstracts: 30th April 2014
Deadline for receipt of full papers: 30th June 2014
Notification of Acceptance of Paper/Panel/Workshop: 30th April 2014
For further information and other enquiries please contact Conference Team.
ENQUIRIES HOTLINE 24HRS: MOBILE: + 233 200723197

For further information and other enquiries please contact Conference Team.
ENQUIRIES HOTLINE 24HRS: MOBILE: + 233 200723197

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International Institute for ICT Journalism
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