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Introduction

The Citizen Journalism in Africa (CJA) Project, partnership programme between SANGONeT and Hivos, turns three in February in 2010. The CJA hosted the ‘Keep 2009 in Touch’ meeting from 16-18 November in Johannesburg, to assess its impact within participating organisations and discuss the way forward.

Present at the meeting were delegates from Country Focal Points (CFPs) of all six countries, the CJA secretariat, Hivos - CJA programme manager, Jon Campbel, and SANGONeT’s executive director, David Barnard.

This discussion group (CJA D-Group) has been initiated by CFPs to allow all members of CJA and partners to raise their concerns, questions and suggestions on the way forward as the CJA programme completes three years experimental phase in February 2010.

Aims of this discussion

The primary aim of CJA D-Goup is to allow participating organisations to start thinking on how to keep in touch and identify effective ways to keep citizen journalism going in their organisation with or without direct support from CJA headquarter. A secondary aim is to stand as a platform for peer to peers exchange on the way forward.

Note: The views, conclusions and recommendations in this discussion group are not to be regarded as the CJA management views. The CJA D-Group is opened to all CJA members in full so as to provide persons and organisations wishing to comment, to make suggestions or to share best practices.

Any requests for information and enquiries should be addressed to Adam Mukendi adam@cicitzenjournalismafrica.org

Forum Discussion

Topic 1: Should CJA be opened to non members?

• We have received request from our organisation members suggesting that there are outsiders willing to join CJA. So, we are asking the question to the CJA community; “should the CJA programme be opened to non members?” If opened, that should be on individual or organisation basis? Some CFPs have argued that opening up the programme will make the portal lose of its rich content and will raise issues of quality control. Have your say: Tell us Yes or No and why

• With regard to their expertise, should certain individual non-member of CJA be allowed to participate to discussion or moderate? Have your say; Yes or No and tell us Why

Topic 2: Translation of the portal

Should the portal be translated in local languages? Or should we keep it in English and allow volunteer translation when CFPs feel the need? A third option would be to keep it in English and show a synopsis (short translation) of the article. Have your say: Yes or No and tell us why

Topic 3: How to keep in touch

Should the portal “mashes-up” content from participating organisations’ websites as to keep everyone equally informed?
However, some CFPs have argued that the use of emailing list and RSS feed should be enough. Have your say: yes or No and Why

Topic 4: How to keep CJ going?

How to keep citizen journalism project running in your organisation in absence of financial and logistical support from CJA? Share your views and best practices.

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