Prix Norbert zongo du Journalisme d'investigation

 

 

Host:   Festival International de la Liberté d'Expression et de la Presse - FILEP
Date:  Saturday, November 7, 2009
Time:  7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location:  Ouagadougou
Email:  micailou@yahoo.fr

 

Le Prix Norbert Zongo de journalisme d'investigation est un prix d'excellence créé par le Centre National de presse Norbert ZONGO en mémoire du journaliste et directeur de publication de l'hebdomadaire « L'Indépendant », assassiné le 13 décembre 1998 sur la route de Sapouy, au Burkina Faso. Le but du prix est de rendre hommage à l'homme de presse et au journaliste d'investigation que Norbert Zongo a été.

OBJECTIFS

Il vise à promouvoir la pratique d'un journalisme d'investigation, de recherche, d'enquête, sur des sujets politiques, économiques, sociaux et culturels pertinents. Il s'agit de :

 renforcer l'importance du rôle du journaliste.

 reconnaître et cultiver le talent journalistique.

 promouvoir un journalisme de recherche, d'enquête, de vérification des informations sur des sujets politiques, économiques, sociaux et culturels pertinents.

 récompenser le courage, la détermination et le respect des principes déontologiques en matière de journalisme.

CONDITIONS DE PARTICIPATION

Le Prix Norbert ZONGO est ouvert à tous les journalistes professionnelles de la sous - région ouest - africaine (CEDEAO et Mauritanie) régulièrement employés dans un organe de presse ou collaborant avec les organes de presse de la sous - région ouest - africaine.

Les œuvres doivent avoir été publiées ou diffusées entre le 13 décembre 2005 et le 13 décembre 2006.

Trois catégories : Presse écrite, Radio et Télévision ont été retenues pour tenir compte de leur spécificité. Presse écrite- faire parvenir l'original et la photocopie de l'article soumis. Télévision - faire parvenir 2 copies VHS pour le sujet soumis. Radio - faire parvenir 2 cassettes audio ou 2 CD du sujet soumis.

La date limite pour la réception des candidatures est fixée au 29 décembre 2006.

LES PRIX NORBERT ZONGO

Le gagnant de chaque catégorie du Prix Norbert Zongo du Journalisme d'investigation recevra un diplôme, un trophée et une somme d'un montant de cinq cent mille francs CFA (500 OOO F. CFA).

Premier prix toute catégorie : le « SEBGO » 2006 Parmi les gagnants des 3 catégories, les juges attribueront le premier prix au journaliste dont le travail mérite d'être récompensé par le « SEBGO » 2006, qu'il s'agisse de la catégorie Presse, TV, ou Radio. Outre le prix qui lui sera remis pour sa catégorie, le journaliste qui remportera le « SEBGO » 2006 recevra une somme d'argent supplémentaire d'un montant de cinq cent mille francs CFA (500 OOO F. CFA), un diplôme et un trophée symbolisant le « SEBGO ».

LE JURY

Il sera choisi par le CNP-NZ parmi des professionnels émérites de la communication et des militants de défense de la presse et des droits de l'homme de renommée résidant dans la sous-région ouest - africaine. Il sera composé de 5 (cinq) personnes :

3 (trois) professionnels de la communication ;

1 (un) militant d'organisations de la presse

1 (un) militant des droits de l'Homme ;

CRITERES Le jury s'appuiera sur les critères suivants :

 le professionnalisme de l'auteur (à travers le respect des exigences d'ordre éthique et déontologique) ;

 la dimension « recherche d'informations » ;

 la pertinence et l'originalité du sujet traité ; l'utilité ou l'intérêt social du thème abordé (au sens de l'« exploitabilité » du produit final livré) ;

 la mesure des difficultés rencontrées par l'auteur attestée par le souci de vérification et de recoupement des différentes sources d'informations consultées pour des raisons de fiabilité ;

 le style rédactionnel (forme et démarche adoptées), étant bien entendu que celui-ci gagnerait à être concret, vivant et accessible au plus grand public ;

 etc.

Ces exigences pratiques, non exhaustives, seront complétées par la prise en compte d'autres considérations pour l'évaluation des œuvres produites dans les catégories « radio » et « télévision », comme le décorum, le maquillage, l'effort de restitution judicieuse du contexte ou de l'ambiance de l'événement couvert (musique d'accompagnement par exemple).

REGLEMENT DU PRIX NORBERT ZONGO DU JOURNALISME D'INVESTIGATION

TITRE I - CONSTITUTION ET OBJET

Article 01 : Il est institué un prix Norbert Zongo du Journalisme d'investigation, placée sous la responsabilité du CNP-NZ.

Article 02 : Le prix est décerné lors du Festival International de la liberté d'expression chaque année aux journalistes de la presse écrite, de la radio et de la télévision qui se seront illustrés dans le journalisme d'investigation.

Article 03 : Le prix Norbert Zongo vise à promouvoir un journalisme d'investigation, de recherche, d'enquête sur des sujets ayant trait à la vie politique, économique, sociale et culturelle du pays.

Article 04 : Le prix Norbert Zongo de journalisme récompense le professionnalisme, le respect des principes déontologiques en matière de journalisme.

TITRE II : DE LA PARTICIPATION

Article 05 : La participation au prix Norbert Zongo est ouverte à tous les journalistes établis sur le territoire ouest africain (CEDEAO et Mauritanie).

Article 06 : Tous les participants doivent être âgés d'au moins dix-huit ans.

Article 07 : Les candidats doivent être des journalistes ouest africains régulièrement employés dans un organe de presse ou collaborant régulièrement avec les organes de presse ouest africains.

Article 08 : Les œuvres doivent avoir été publiés entre le 13 décembre 2005 et le 13 décembre 2006, dans des organes de presse de la sous région et être de facture professionnelle.

Article 09 : Les candidatures au prix Norbert Zongo sont proposées par :

 le journaliste, de sa propre initiative

 l'organe au service duquel il est employé

Article 10 : Deux exemplaires des œuvres produites doivent parvenir au jury siégeant au Centre National de Presse Norbert Zongo 04 BP 8524 Ouagadougou 04 Burkina Faso Email : cnpress@cnpress-zongo.net - Télécopie : (226) 50 34 37 45 - Téléphone : 50 34 37 45 et 50 34 41 89 au plus tard le 29 décembre 2006.

Article 11 : Tout candidat ne peut proposer qu'une oeuvre dans une catégorie (Presse écrite, radio et télévision).

Article 12 : Les dossiers de candidature comportent :

 une déclaration de candidature établie sur papier libre avec indication complète de l'identité du candidat (nom, prénoms, pseudonyme ou nom de plume utilisé) ;

 une attestation de l'organe confirmant son appartenance ou sa collaboration à la rédaction de l'organe de presse ayant publié son œuvre

 un C.V du candidat comportant sa photo

 une déclaration écrite signé autorisant le Centre National de presse Norbert Zongo à utiliser son nom, sa voix, ses images et les éléments soumis s'il est primé, sans aucune compensation et sur tous supports médiatiques, à des fins publicitaires/dans le cadre des relations publiques ou d'information sur le Prix.

TITRE III - DU JURY

Article 13 : Un jury international de cinq membres désigne chaque année les lauréats du Prix Norbert Zongo.

Article 14 : Les membres du jury proviennent des milieux des professionnels de la communication, des enseignants, des militants de défense de la liberté de la presse. Toute autre personne présentant de telles garanties peut être désignée pour siéger au sein de ce jury.

Article 15 : Les membres du jury sont choisis selon la périodicité du prix. Les membres du jury sortant peuvent être reconduits.

Article 16 : Le jury élit en son sein un président et un rapporteur.

Article 17 : Les modalités pratiques d'organisation et de fonctionnement du jury font l'objet d'un règlement intérieur s'inspirant de l'esprit général du présent Règlement.

Article 18 : La fonction de membre du jury est gratuite. Toutefois les charges de fonctionnement du jury sont à la charge du CNP-NZ.

Article 19 : Les délibérations du jury sont sans appel.

TITRE IV : DES PRIX

Article 20 : Le prix Norbert Zongo du journalisme d'investigation est d'un montant de Cinq cent mille francs CFA (500 000 F) en espèce (au cours légal officiel) par catégorie. Chaque prix est assorti d'un trophée et d'un diplôme.

Article 21 : Le premier prix toute catégorie : le « SEBGO » 2006 est doté d'un montant de Cinq cent mille francs CFA (500 000 F), d'un diplôme et d'un trophée.

Article 22 : Un candidat ne peut être lauréat deux années consécutives. Le jury peut décerner des mentions spéciales.

Article 23 : La remise du prix se fait lors du Festival International de la liberté de la presse au cours d'une cérémonie officielle.

TITRE V : DISPOSITIONS TRANSITOIRES ET FINALES

Article 24 : L'organisation pratique du prix Norbert Zongo du journalisme d'investigation est assurée par le Centre National de Presse Norbert Zongo. Mais le CNP-NZ peut s'appuyer sur les maisons et Centres de presse de la sous-région pour la collecte des candidatures.

Article 25 : Le comité de pilotage du CNP-NZ peut modifier le présent règlement intérieur, mais il est tenu de porter les modifications à la connaissance du public.

Article 26 : Le prix sera lancé chaque 3 mai, Journée mondiale de la liberté de la presse.

POUR PLUS D'INFOS

Centre National de Presse Norbert Zongo, 04 BP 8524 0uagadougou 04 / Secteur 08 - Gounghin Petit Paris,
Rue : 8-29, Immeuble N° 203, Porte N° 058
Contactez nous par Tél : (226) 50 34 37 45 - (226) 50 34 41 89 Fax : (226) 50 34 37 45
E.mail : cnpress@cnpress-zongo.net
Site Web : www.cnpress-zongo.net / www.mediaburkina.org

African Elections Project - Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana

African Elections Project

Elections are crucial bedrock for democracies and enabling a free and open society.  The role of the media in ensuring successful election is very crucial.  All over the world the media is playing this important role of ensuring free and fair elections by working with all stakeholders across board.The media can strengthen the electoral process by providing independent information through impartial coverage. Three important elements come into play: access to information on the political process, ability to undertake investigate journalism and document lessons and experiences from the electioneering process.

 

There are a lot of challenges and problems facing the media in the area of election coverage. Key among them is lack of access to real-time information, lack of capacity to undertake investigative journalism surrounding elections, use of ICTs in coverage,  inability to produce balanced reports and to incorporate user content are some of the  challenges and problems facing the media during elections coverage.  In order to address some of these problems, African Elections Project was launched in September 2000 with the following key activity areas :

v     Training for senior editors, journalists and reporters

v      SMS application in coverage and monitoring

v      Election Guide for the Media

v      Information and Knowledge Online Portal

v      Knowledge products for the media

v      Media Content Monitoring

 

 

With funding from OSISA - The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa www.osisa.org working with key partners, African Elections Project is providing coverage for the following countries in the Southern Africa region : 

 

1. Mozambique http://www.africanelections.org/mozambique/

http://twitter.com/mozambiquevotos

 

2. Namibia http://www.africanelections.org/namibia/

http://twitter.com/namibiaelection

 

3. Botswana http://www.africanelections.org/botswana/

http://twitter.com/botswanaelects

 

 

If you are in the region or any of the above countries and want to get involve with this exciting project send a mail to

info@africanelections.org

 

Hope to hear from you soon

 

Editor 

www.africanelections.org 

 

 

 

Countries Covered so far :

1. Ghana www.africanelections.org/ghana
2. Mauritania www.africanelections.org/mauritania
3. Malawi www.africanelections.org/malawi 

Pending Elections :

Cote d'Ivoire www.africanelections.org/cotedivoire,

Niger www.africanelections.org/niger

and Guinea www.africanelctions.org/guinea

 

 

Statement by Journalism Online Co-Founders in Response to American Press Institute Findings

Statement by Journalism Online Co-Founders in Response to American Press Institute Findings

 

Institute Report Comes as Journalism Online Passes 1,000 Affiliate Milestone

 

New York, September 14, 2009—Journalism Online, LLC, co-founder Steven Brill said that the results of a study released today by the American Press Institute (API) reporting that nearly 60% of American newspapers are "actively considering" initiating some form of paid access for their online content "is absolutely consistent with what we are finding in the United States and around the world." Brill added, "In fact, we think the proportion is already higher and that it's growing literally every day."

 

"In August, we announced that more than 500 newspapers, magazines and online-based news sites in the United States and around the world had signed Letters of Intent with us," said co-founder Gordon Crovitz. "Just one month later, we have passed 1,000, reaching more than 100 million online users, and the pace is accelerating." A key factor, Crovitz added, is that publishers have concluded that this is not an either/or choice between advertising revenue and circulation revenue. He said, "Publishers are focused on the revenue potential of a mix of free and paid access to their sites, with the 'freemium' approach increasingly popular."

 

The API's findings indicated publishers were "seriously considering 11 of 15 different options of which pay models to implement," Brill added. "That flexibility and diversity is also consistent with our view, which is why our Reader Revenue Platform™ has 16 different options for publishers."

 

"Publishers are crafting their strategies, from charging based on usage, to identifying content just for subscribers, to launching entirely new products," Crovitz said. "Affiliates will adjust our platform's 16 dials as they learn what works best for each site."

 

Journalism Online also recently announced that it will serve non-profit publishers by allowing readers to use their Journalism Online accounts to donate to their favorite organizations. 

 

About Journalism Online, LLC

Founded in April 2009 by experienced media executives Steven Brill, Gordon Crovitz, and Leo Hindery, Jr., Journalism Online, which has more than 1,000 affiliate newspapers, magazines and news sites, will enable news publishers to generate new revenues from readers and distributors for their digital content and to restore the optimal mix of circulation and advertising revenue necessary to finance original reporting and editing. Journalism Online, whose services launch this fall, is pioneering the effort to make the transition to a paid online model successful for publishers while giving readers easy access to the news they want, when they want it, on the web and through other forms of digital distribution. For more information: www.journalismonline.com.

 

Position Announcement—Radio/Television Chair

Position Announcement—Radio/Television Chair:

Position:  Chair—Department of Radio-Television
 

Rank:  Professor or Associate Professor, rank and salary commensurate with credentials.



Effective Date:  1 July 2010, or until filled

Qualifications:   Normally candidates possess a Ph.D. or M.F.A. degree in communications or related field, although candidates with exceptionally distinguished qualifications for leading a high-performance department will be considered. These qualifications should include as many as possible of the following: record of effective teaching, significant research/creative activity, relevant administrative experience, international recognition.


Duties: The Chair is responsible for the development and coordination of teaching, research, and service programs of the Department. These duties include, but are not limited to: intellectual and creative leadership of the Department; active engagement in teaching and research/creative activity; recruitment, development, and evaluation of faculty and staff; commitment to building a climate of departmental diversity in all aspects; academic program development; representing the Department's programs and faculty to various constituencies; coordinating and enhancing the Department's grant activities, alumni relations, fiscal management and administration.

The Department:  The Department of Radio-Television housed in the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts, offers innovative programs in radio, television, and associated media, and features an interdisciplinary approach to media education that emphasizes both theory and practice in such areas as media studies, electronic media management, electronic journalism, media production, international and comparative media, and political economy of the media.  The undergraduate program is annually recognized for its outstanding record of award-winning radio and television productions. The faculty participate actively in the MA, MS, MA/MBA, MFA, and Doctoral programs housed at the College level. The Department is closely associated with the Global Media Research Center and WSIU Public Broadcasting, which operates PBS-affiliated television stations and NPR-affiliated FM stations from the College.

The College: The College of Mass Communication and Media Arts has three academic units, the Departments of Cinema and Photography and Radio-Television and the School of Journalism, as well as WSIU Public Broadcasting and the Global Media Research Center. The College enrolls approximately 1000 undergraduate and 140 graduate students.
 
The University:  SIUC is a Carnegie Doctoral Research University, enrolls approximately 21,000 and annually ranks among the top institutions in the nation for producing minority graduates. It is located 90 miles southeast of St. Louis in Carbondale, Illinois, a city of 25,000.  The Shawnee National Forest, which is famous for its rugged, hilly terrain and natural beauty, is immediately to the south of campus. Additional information can be found at <http://rtv.siu.edu <http://rtv.siu.edu/> >.
 
Screening of completed applications will commence October 16, 2009 and continue until the position is filled.
 
To apply: Send letter of application, curriculum vitae/resume, and names and contact information for three references to:
 

Search Committee Chair
Department Chairperson
Department of Radio-Television
Mail Code 6609
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
1100 Lincoln Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901
 
Phone: 618-536-7555; Fax: 618-453-6982

 
 

SIUC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer that strives to enhance its ability to develop a diverse faculty and staff and to increase its potential to serve a diverse student population.  All applications are welcomed and encouraged and will receive consideration.

Opportunity - Wanted: African Freelance Reporters

To serve our fast growing portfolio of international clients like KLM, Heineken, Starbucks, Nestlé and Nike Africa Interactive is urgently looking for Freelance African reporters to do paid assignments.

We are looking for: African cameramen/women, African journalists, and African photographers in all African countries If you would like to sign up, please send your cv to: bas@africanews.com 

 If you want to see who are in our reporter database now, please follow this link: www.africanews.com/site/page/reporters

If you like to read more about becoming a reporter for Africa Interactive, please follow this link: www.africa-interactive.net

To read the whole blog post and comments please visit: http://africamedianetwork.ning.com/profiles/blogs/wanted-african-freelance

 

Post on the African Media Network blog by Seb Vlugt

African media better prepared to cover the 2010 Soccer World Cup

African media is better prepared to cover the 2010 World Cup and this is a direct result of the 2009 Highway Africa Conference, says the head of Rhodes University's School of Journalism and Media Studies, Professor Guy Berger.

Prof Berger's statement highlighted the significance of Highway Africa, a three-day African media conference hosted by Rhodes University. 

The importance of the conference was also accentuated by Rhodes' Vice-Chancellor, Saleem Badat, who said: "Over the years, the conference has become a key event of Rhodes University, and its Pan-African nature gels well with our aspiration to be an outstanding African university which proudly affirms its African identity…"

Highway Africa Director, Chris Kabwato, said the conference, attended by 500 Journalists and held from 6 to 8 September, has developed into a premium annual event for African journalists. 

With major sponsors such as Telkom, who have recommitted themselves to the conference, and new sponsors such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, next year's edition of Highway Africa is expected to be even bigger. The 2010 conference will take place during the Fifa World Cup month. 

This year's conference ran with the theme: Reporting Africa - 2010, Development and Democracy.

The robust debates, training and loads of information issued during the conference have prepared African media for the World Cup, says Berger.

"Indeed the deliberations were rich, deep and educating. The need for critical journalistic engagement featured prominently during the conference deliberations," he said.

"This should ensure that media coverage is not only focused on the glitz and glamour aspect of the World Cup, but must be extended to critical evaluation of socioeconomic consequences."

Badat was the first to caution African journalists, in his opening address, against uncritical and blunt reporting. "It seems to me that if journalists and the media seek to report on development and democracy effectively, then they need to have a good understanding of development and democracy," he said. 

This view was echoed by a number of other speakers. A general concern was expressed that African media is dominated by politics at the expense of development coverage. 

Two things are suppressing coverage of development issues, said Paula Fray from Inter Press Service. The media environment encourages journalists to focus on sexy subjects and there is also lack of skills. 

Acting head of SABC news, Phil Molefe, said that development coverage does not necessarily equate to sunshine journalism.

The 2010 World Cup will be a media bonanza but the question is will the media cover the event properly, cautioned Badat.
Thousands of journalists and the world's media will descend on South Africa, said Badat. "Many of these will simply cover the beautiful game and the happenings on and off the pitch," he said. 

Others, he added, will delve into the history, geography, economics, sociology and politics of the tournament. "As a supposedly African event, it remains to be seen how, in what ways, and to what extent the media coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup will differ from that of previous World Cups".

http://www.ru.ac.za/modules/blog_include/blog_content.php?blog_id=663

New partnership for Al Jazeera Network and A24 Media

 African online news agency A24 Media will now feature and sell Al Jazeera content via its site, as part of a new partnership with the international television network.

A24 Media, which launched at the end of 2008, sells African video content around the world, with its contributors receiving a 60 per cent cut and retaining copyright. Its editorial board includes Reuters' head of global multimedia and a former head of ABC News in Australia.

With the new deal, A24media.com/aljazeera will feature African documentaries from Al Jazeera that can be bought via the site. Al Jazeera can also use A24 material for programmes on the channel.

"This partnership with A24 Media is important for us as it enables us to extend the reach of our African content from both Al Jazeera English and the Al Jazeera Arabic Channel to new audiences throughout and beyond the continent," said Phil Lawrie, director of global distribution at Al Jazeera Network, in a press release.

"This partnership with an organisation of the calibre of Al Jazeera represents a powerful endorsement of our vision to make A24 Media the continent's leading online multimedia news and programmes service and a trusted source for people seeking quality African output produced by local journalists," added the CEO of A24 Media, Asif Sheikh.

A24, is 'an agency but with a bit of a twist' said founder Salim Amin at the time of its launch in September 2008: "We try to ensure that the African journalist keeps copyright and continues to make revenue."

Amin, who is also A24 Media's chairman and son of famous photojournalist Mohamed, or Mo, Amin, will speak at the Frontline Club in London on September 28 after a screening of a film about his father's life.

 

http://www.journalism.co.uk/2/articles/535792.php

Journalism Online’s charging clients a 20% commission

If you've been following our coverage of Journalism Online, the pay-for-news venture founded by Steve Brill, Gordon Crovitz, and Leo Hindery, you know how they plan to generate revenue for news sites. What hasn't been clear is how the firm itself will make money.

But in a document submitted to the Newspaper Association of America, which was just made public, Journalism Online reveals its business model: They're asking for a 20-percent cut of subscription revenue (after credit card fees).

I checked with Cindy Rosenthal, the firm's spokeswoman, who confirmed the information and said they weren't charging clients anything beyond the commission. Journalism Online says it has signed letters of intent with media companies representing 176 dailies but won't disclose their names. Guardian News and Media and The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel are the only known clients, and most major newspaper companies have said they aren't on board.

[UPDATE: 10:36 a.m.: In a brief chat with Brill as I waited for the bus this morning, he said, "What we tell publishers is, we only do well if you do well."]

Journalism Online had been the highest-profile of several firms known to be shopping paid-content solutions to news sites. But yesterday we revealed that Google is also making a play in that area, and much of the ensuing coverage suggested a new, if wildly imbalanced, rivalry between Google and Journalism Online. That will depend on how serious Google's intentions are.

The basic pitch from Journalism Online involves news sites signing up 10 percent of their monthly visitors for some kind of subscription plan. (That figure has been floating between 5 and 15 percent.) But lots of content would remain free so news sites could continue to reap advertising revenue from non-paying visitors. Net profit, in Journalism Online's models, emerges from subscription revenue, a slight increase in print circulation, and cost savings.

We've been through those models before, but the new document that Brill and his colleagues submitted to the NAA includes, for the first time, a model with all of their math in one place, including their commission and an abbreviated balance sheet. So for those following this really closely, here you go:

Below is an excerpt from the business models we have presented to five different-sized newspapers in five different markets based on assumption related to the options outlined above.

Print circulation of 1,000,000.
Total home delivery paper subscribers of 800,000.
Monthly online unique visitors of 20 million.
Annual online subscription price of $75.00 and month-to-month price of $7.50.
Micropayments per article of $0.25 with a total of 6 per subscriber per month.
Online advertising revenue of $175 million per year.
Print circulation revenue of $600 million per year.
Print subscriber retention and acquisition cost of $75 million per year.

Bottom Line Benefit:
$33.6 million in Year One; $86.0 million in Year Two

Assumptions:

• Assumes a significant amount of continued free access, but with selected content offered to the most engaged online users on a paid basis. This approach optimizes advertising inventory alongside high-margin subscription revenues.
• 10% of monthly uniques subscribe within two years.
• Subscriber conversion breakdown assumes 47.5% annual, 47.5% month-to-month and 5.0% micro payment.
• Total online subscribers of 2.2 million subscribers in year 2, counting people who buy annual or monthly subscriptions or a single article through micropayment.
• Assumes a 90% subscription renewal rate.
• Overall page views decrease by 12% at the end of year 2.
• A 15% decrease in non-subscriber page views is offset by paying subscribers having 25% more page views per user than non-paying users.
• A 30% higher CPM for pages viewed by subscribers produces overall online advertising decline of 9%.
• Cost of sales for advertising is 20%.
• Journalism Online commission of 20% of subscription revenues net of credit card fees of 3%.
• Adding a paid strategy for selected online access, then bundling online and print subscriptions (offering a "discount" for those who buy both) yields a 3% increase over two years in print subscription circulation revenue.

Highway Africa opens to a flying start at MTN reception

Danny Jordaan says Y'ello to 400 African journalists at Highway Africa reception

 

The 2009 edition of the annual Highway Africa conference will kick off to a euphoric start this Sunday when the media delegates from across the continent are addressed by 2010 Organising Committee CEO Dr Danny Jordaan.

 

The MTN-sponsored reception will be held at the newly-built Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

 

Over 400 journalists from more than 43 countries in Africa are expected to attend the event which will see the beginning of the three-day conference organized by Rhodes University's School of Journalism and Media Studies and supported by sponsors such as MTN.

 

In line with the 2009 Highway Africa theme, Reporting Africa: 2010, development and democracy, MTN has chosen the 48 000-capacity Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as the venue to host the reception in order to give the journalists a glimpse of what South Africa has to offer during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. MTN is the first and only African global sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™, which will be hosted in Africa for the first time in 2010.

 

"The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will be African football's crowning glory for the incredible contribution this continent's footballers have made to the global game. We as South Africans are honoured to be hosting Africa's first FIFA World Cup on behalf of the entire continent. And it's critical for us at the 2010 Organising Committee that we involve and engage our fellow Africans in the World Cup process. Highway Africa gives us a wonderful opportunity to interact with hundreds of African journalists from over 40 countries and we thank MTN for helping to arrange this great platform for us to update the continent on our progress," says Jordaan.

 

 

MTN Group Executive for Corporate Affairs and Spokesperson, Ms Nozipho January-Bardill will be the host at the opening reception. Jordaan, the Deputy Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Councilor Biks Ndoni and the Rhodes University Vice Chancellor, Professor Saleem Badat are expected to address the delegates at the reception.

 

This year's edition of Highway Africa runs from 6-9 September. MTN, which has been the exclusive mobile partner of Highway Africa for the past eight years, will participate in the 2010 FIFA World Cup State of Readiness panel discussion that will be chaired by Mathatha Tsedu. MTN, whose sponsorship of the 2010 FIFA World Cup secured the company exclusive mobile content right for Africa and the Middle East, will also lead a parallel workshop on Mobile Television.

 

The guests at the reception will be given a tour of the host city as well as a tour of the world-class facility that will host some of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ games.

 

Says January-Bardill: "As a global company with its roots firmly in Africa and as sponsor of the world's biggest football spectacular, MTN believes that the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is not a South African affair, but an African event. It requires all of us to collectively put hands on the deck to ensure that the event is a roaring success."

 

She continued: "A successful 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will be the necessary antidote to dispel the lingering pessimism about Africa and about the continent's ability to host a tournament of this magnitude."

 

Speaking about MTN's eight-year sponsorship of Highway Africa, January-Bardill said the sponsorship gives MTN an opportunity to contribute to the development of journalism, particularly reportage on Information Communication Technology sector.

 

"It is in our best interests to have a vigilant, knowledgeable and probing media. The Highway Africa conference does not only demonstrate the value of partnering to achieve specific objectives, but over the years it has also offered us a rare opportunity to touch base with one of our most important stakeholders – the media," concludes January-Bardill.

 

 

ENDS

 

-Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs

 

ABOUT THE MTN GROUP

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 21 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: "MTN". As at 30 June 2009, MTN recorded 103,2 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. The MTN Group is a global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and has exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East. Visit www.mtn.com and www.mtnfootball.com.

 

ABOUT HIGHWAY AFRICA

Highway Africa is a partnership between Rhodes University (School of Journalism and Media Studies) and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), with the support of several partners, development agencies and sponsors. 2009 sees the 13th edition being hosted in Grahamstown with a record attendance of 735 persons in 2008 and offers a journalists reflection on 2010 in the New Media environment. The Highway Africa annual Awards expand to over five categories in their ninth year, continuing to recognise excellence in ICT journalism in Africa.

 

For more information contact:

 

Pearl Majola

MTN Group Communications

Mobile: +27 83 212 2459

Email: Majola_p@mtn.co.za

Knight News Challenge 2010 Opens; Up to $5 million in Awards

Knight News Challenge Competition Offers
Up to $5 million for Community News Innovation

Contest now allows private applications -- deadline is Oct. 15

MIAMI – The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is accepting applications for the 2010 Knight News Challenge, a contest awarding as much as $5 million for innovative ideas using digital experiments to transform community news. The deadline for applications is Oct. 15.

Do you have a big idea for informing and inspiring a geographic community? Does it include innovative use of new digital tools or processes such as social media, mash-ups or wikis? How about new ways to exchange information via hand-held devices like cell phones? Knight Foundation wants to know. "You invent it. We fund it!" is the 2010 contest slogan.

Open to community-minded innovators worldwide, the contest has just three rules. Projects must use digital, open-source technology, distribute news in the public interest and be tested in a local community.

"We want entries to push the bounds of the imagination," said Gary Kebbel, Knight Foundation's journalism program director. "But they don't always have to involve the invention of something completely new. We're also searching for innovative twists on familiar tools."

This is the fourth year of the Knight News Challenge competition. So far, 300,000 people have visited the project web site, at newschallenge.org, a total of 7,000 people have entered and the foundation has picked 35 winners.

This year, applicants can enter in one of two categories. In the "open" category, submissions are available to the public for viewing and commenting. These entries can use others' comments to revise and submit their application or proposals. In a separate "closed" category, solely Knight Foundation staff and contest reviewers will see applications. Applicants who aren't ready to share their ideas publically can use this category.

"We wanted to have an application process that is broad enough to accommodate people's preferences," Kebbel said.

Want an insider's edge to the application process? The newly launched News Challenge blog features lessons from past winners and a behind-the-scenes looks at the contest judging. Also, Knight staff will answer questions during a live chat at 2 p.m. Sept. 9 and Oct. 8. Read the blog and participate in the chat at www.newschallenge.org.

In its first three years, the contest produced individual, private and public winners ranging from 20-something journalism innovators to the inventor of the World Wide Web.

One project, hyper-local news experiment Everyblock.com, was recently purchased by MSNBC.com – highlighting the market potential for innovative community information projects. Before it was purchased, Everyblock.com's code was published as open source, a challenge requirement that allows the public to benefit from the experiments.

The News Challenge is part of Knight Foundation's $100 million plus Media Innovation Initiative, which strives to help meet community information needs by, in part, seeding experiments that the market will ultimately sustain. Other projects address media innovation on various levels, including national media policy, broadband access and the evolution of the World Wide Web.

For more on the News Challenge, visit www.NewsChallenge.org

For more on Knight Foundation's Media Innovation Initiative, visit www.mediainnovation.org.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation advances journalism in the digital age and invests in the vitality of communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Since 1950, the foundation has granted more than $400 million to advance quality journalism and freedom of expression. Knight Foundation focuses on projects that promote community engagement and lead to transformational change. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.

 

Media Contact:

Marc Fest, Vice President of Communications, 305-908-2677, fest@knightfoundation.org

 

News Release