Role of Media in Social Mobilisation and Democracy in Africa

The Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) was first established in 1960 as a nonprofit organisation. Today it is a statutory body following the Africa Institute of South Africa Act (no 68 of 2001). Although the institute has been existence for more than 51 years, this saw it being brought into the fold of science councils in South Africa and given the full support of the Department of Science and Technology.

AISA is hosting a seminar entitled 'The Role of the Media in Social Mobilisation and Democracy in Africa' on 13 September 2012 in Pretoria.

The media has a number of important roles in society, including informing, educating, providing guardianship of the citizenry and facilitating democracy. Notably, freedom of information laws, which are considered sacrosanct especially by the media, guarantee access to government information and have been hailed for strengthening democratic accountability.

What happens when these laws are threatened? The unprecedented rise of new social media technologies such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube has enabled individuals to become ‘prosumers’ of news - both producers and consumers. What is the impact on traditional journalism?

Speakers:

• Marenet Jordaan, Journalism Programme, University of Pretoria;
• Izak Khomo, Channel Africa; and
• Raashied Galant, Freedom of Expression Institute.

Time: 9h30 for 10h00 – 12h45
 
Registration & Tea/Coffee:  9h30 – 10h00
 
RSVP: Sam Lekala, Tel: 012 304 9700/53; Mobile: 073 334 3104, E-mail: slekala@ai.org.za

For more about the Africa Institute of South Africa, refer to www.ai.org.za.