[FoME] CfP News Media Development and Sustainability in Africa

[Christoph Dietz]

Academy of Journalism and Media & Enterprise Institute, University of
Neuchâtel, Switzerland, are seeking papers for presentation at an
international conference exploring African media development and
sustainability that will be held at the University of Neuchâtel,
Switzerland, October 22-23, 2015.

Best papers will be considered for publication in a special issue of
Journal of Media Business Studies.

The aim of this international conference is to shed light on (1) how
media are developing in different parts of Africa and what are the main
constraints to their development, (2) what factors might help bridge
financial and human capital gaps and strengthen long-term impact of
international support on media sustainability, as well as on (3) how
support to media development in Africa can be an opportunity also for
western media and investors. Free and independent information media are
fundamental for both the economic and democratic development of
societies. In certain African countries, where conflicts are in place,
media development is mainly being supported by international donors and
non-profit organizations: they provide initial investments to help
stabilize countries and support their
transition toward democracy or out of war. After a certain level of
success is perceived, donors and organizations either lower their
support or withdraw completely. The sustainability of media in the long
run is therefore the biggest problem for developing democracies to
solve. When looking at the five objectives that, according to the media
sustainability index, are deemed to enable a media system to be
independent and sustainable, the one measuring if "media are well
managed, allowing editorial independence" scores the lowest for various
African countries. This calls for a new approach to African journalism
and media management both in terms of financial support and dedicated
educational programs.

We are particularly interested in African media development. However,
submissions looking at media financing and sustainability in other
developing countries are welcome as they might enlarge perspectives and
allow comparative analysis. Both theoretically and empirically-based
abstracts related to the workshop theme can be submitted. Suggested
research topics for contributions include, but are not limited to:

   * News media business best practices in African or other developing
countries
   * Sustainability oriented news media business models in developing
countries
   * Impact of different forms of investments on African news media
sustainability
   * Joint ventures and strategic alliances for African news media
development
   * Impact of international news media organizations on the news media
landscape in developing countries
   * Managerial challenges related to media sustainability in African
countries
   * Impact of new technologies on news media innovation and
sustainability
   * Relation between media regulation and media sustainability in
Africa
   * Staff development needs within news media firms in developing
countries
   * Media management academic and training programs in Africa

200-300 word abstracts are due June 21, 2015 with notifications of
accepted proposals on July 5, 2015. Full papers will be due October 1,
2015. Please send abstracts to: cinzia.dalzotto at unine.ch 

Program
- October 22: The academic community will present the state of the art
of research on media sustainability in developing countries.
- October 23: International representatives of potential investors,
independent media entrepreneurs and the donor community present their
views and discuss possible and viable cooperative solutions to news
media sustainability in Africa. Academics will contribute to the
discussion and reflect on ways for integrating practitioners' needs and
ideas in a future practice oriented research agenda.

Conference Organizers Cinzia Dal Zotto, University of Neuchâtel, and
Fondation Hirondelle www.hirondelle.org
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