The theme for this, the 11th gathering of Africa's media, is: ‘Quality and Professionalism in Journalism and the Media: the case for New Media'. The second Digital Citizen Indaba, running alongside the main event, focuses on the rise of “citizen journalists” through blogging and other social media developments.
More than 500 journalists are registered for the event which will cover a wide range of subjects this year relating to Internet governance, information communication technology (ICT) policy and media for democracy affecting Africa and the globe.
Some of the conference topics this year include: ‘Digital Africa: The digital possibilities for the continent'; ‘Columnists and Bloggers: Communities speaking to whom? About what?'; Internet Governance; Convergence and print media case studies; ‘Mobile Technology and the Future of Journalism'; ‘Web 2.0 and the Media Company: The value of social networks to a media business'; ‘Knowledge Management in the Newsroom and the News Research Function'; ‘Reflections on Media Sustainability' ; and many more.
Speakers this year include Prof Guy Berger; Prof Fackson Banda; Lumko Mtimde, MDDA; SABC executives; Matthew Buckland; Arrie Rossouw; Ndesanjo Macha, Global Voices; William Bird; Richard Gerber; Arthur Goldstuck; Peter Verweij, Netherlands; Fred Khumalo; Vincent Maher; Lizeka Mda; Thabo Leshilo; Jovial Rantao, the new SANEF chair; Mike Stopforth; Ramon Thomas; and many more.
Highway Africa is a partnership between Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies and the SABC, with the support of the Department of Communications, ABSA, MTN, Telkom and development agencies. The event is a noteworthy networking platform for journalists on the continent, as well as a training opportunity from the numerous aligned workshops, expos, debates and other events over the 10-day focus on media.
Meetings by various media associations will also take place concurrently: SA National Editors Forum (SANEF); Southern African Editors Forum (SAEF); and the African Editors Forum (TAEF).
Explains Chris Kabwato, Highway Africa director: “For 10 years the Highway Africa conference has been at the centre of Africa's debates on journalism and new media. The conference has over the years become the largest annual gathering of African journalists in the world. The conference hopes to contribute to the fundamental transformation of how media uses technology in production and dissemination of news and information. To this end the conference is a mixture of presentations, debates and hands-on training workshops – all related to Internet, mobile and satellite technology and the media.”
The critical questions being posed at this year's event are: what is professionalism? How do we measure quality? What technology should be available in the ideal newsroom?
Says SABC spoke Kaizer Kganyago: “The Highway Africa conference comes at a time when there is a lot of discussion around the Electronic Communication Act (ECA). Boardrooms are buzzing with business discussions on who partners with who to exploit this new pace where content can be delivered on any platform at any time. Perhaps we should use this conference to create a buzz of a different kind – that is – what spaces will open to increasingly work together to meet developmental needs. We are saying so because we believe the Act also opens spaces to engage on how we can make access to ICTs for development, a reality. This will clearly be in line with our vision of broadcasting for total citizen empowerment.”
The SABC New Media in Africa awards at Highway Africa focus on:
