The 2010 Theme: African Voices in the Global Media Space

The term “Global Village” has become a cliché. Globalisation is now an accepted reality of modern society. What is now being debated are the rules of engagement in the globalised world. Trade, migration, sovereignty, identity, and many other issues, form the crux of the debates (and fights) of the new world (dis) order.

In the media arena, we have seen the unprecedented expansion of global media networks paralled by the explosion of the internet, centred on the World Wide Web, as a major media platform. African media entrepreneurs and other parties have sought to respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by technology, economics, markets and other factors.

Highway Africa Conference 2010 will be both a celebration and an interrogation of African journalism and media and how these are opening up and expanding spaces for engagement.

The questions to be addressed include:

• What is the state of African media in comparison with the media of other regions?
• What broadcasting networks exist and what is their impact?
• What is the state of the African blogosphere? Who speaks? On what?
• What distinctive technologies or applications has Africa developed that contribute to diverse and pluralistic voices being heard?
• What media initiatives exist in the Diaspora and what is their impact?
• What media operates in exile due to political repression and how do they communicate with their audiences?
• What digital policies, strategies and infrastructure are in place that will be “game-changers” for African media?
• What training programmes should tertiary institutions and media organisations develop to adequately equip the 21st Century media professional?

Using plenary sessions, keynote addresses, training workshops, book launches, networking dinners and debates, HA 2010 will celebrate and interrogate African Voices in the various spaces they operate in.

Enquiries:

Chris Kabwato, Director, Highway Africa.

E-mail: C.Kabwato@ru.ac.za