Highway Africa

The theme for 2007 was quality and professionalism in journalism and the media. The meeting was attended by nearly 600 journalists from all over the African Continent. During the conference there was extensive discussions on quality content and the meaning of professionalism. There were also discussions on various forms of media e.g. bloggers and whether these are journalists. The dominant view was that information dissemination is crucial, but also the quality of the information is also critical. People were encouraged to observe ethics and standards of a good and credible story.

Blogging was seen as an emerging area that offers a different source of information. Many agreed that newspapers in particular do not offer feedback on stories and news pieces. Blogs allow the author to interact with the reader. It was said that citizen journalism enhances the practice of journalism. It offers a direct feedback of what the public wants.

There were also arguments that the fact that the public can write - does not make them journalists. Students studying journalism acknowledged that they were threatened by the emerging citizen journalism. Most experienced journalists felt that this new trend is not a threat to mainstream journalism.

A thorny issue that discussed was the gender dimension in the newsroom. It also looked at quality and professionalism in the newsroom. There were concerns raised regarding the following:

• Sexual harassment in the newsroom
• Promotion
• Who decides on content
• Gender policy and implementation in the media houses
• Representation of gender issues on content
• Choice of stories and who writes them
• News and content sources

A number of books, reports and an online portal were launched during this gathering including the following:

• Against the grain by Geoffrey Nyarota
• Global information society watch 2007 Report
• 50 Years of journalism: African media since Ghana's independence - edited by Elizabeth Barrat and Guy Berger
• The Free Knowledge for ICT literacy Portal by CECS
• New news out of Africa: Uncovering Africa's renaissance by Charlayne Hunter-Gault
• UNESCO media laws book

Arnold Pieterson of CECS

There were a number of parallel events taking place. They include the Digital Citizens Indaba, TAEF, SAEF and SANEF meetings, skills training workshops, Highway Africa New Media Awards, and Gender Links and SPI MAP awards.

Colleen Lowe Morna of Gender Links

Themes discussed include the following:

• Journalism as a profession
• Internet governance
• Convergence and the print media
• Mobile technology and the future of journalism
• Broadband infrastructure for Africa
• Media sustainability

Further information on Highway Africa is available in the following site: www.highwayafrica.ru.ac.za