WELCOME TO ajen
The African Journalism Education Network (Ajen) brings together people and organisations active in African journalism education as well as those interested in the field.
Ajen aims to:
Opportunities, resources and events for journalism educators
OPPORTUNITIES
EVENT: CoMMPASS “Communicating Migrations”
Join this impactful webinar hosted by CoMMPASS – a free, self-paced online course designed for journalism students and practising journalists interested in migration in Africa. Developed by eight African and European universities in partnership with leading global institutions, the course features 14 media-rich modules.
SUBMISSION: The Next 100 Years of Regular Radio Broadcasting in SA
In 2024, South Africa celebrated 100 years of regular radio broadcasting, a milestone that invites us to reflect not only on its storied past but also on what the next century may bring. From its roots in early amateur experiments to today’s digitally integrated platforms, radio has remained a resilient and evolving medium.
EVENT: Media Capture in the Global South: Power & Resistance
Join in on this half-day “unconference” and book launch exploring media capture across Africa and Latin America, organised by the Sociological & Cultural Studies group and Glasgow University Media Group in partnership with the Glasgow Latin American Research Network. This hybrid event marks the launch of the forthcoming book Media Capture in Africa and Latin America: Power & Resistance and brings together researchers, journalists, and civil society actors to discuss emerging patterns of media control and grassroots resistance in the Global South.
EVENT: Open Educational Resources and Generative AI
Join Dr. Jako Olivier (Commonwealth of Learning, Canada) for an online webinar on 7 April 2025 exploring the intersection of open educational resources (OER) and Generative AI.
SUBMISSION: The South African Communication Association Conference
The South African Communication Association (SACOMM) invites submissions for its 2025 conference, which will be themed Currents: People, Power, and Practice.
SUBMISSION: Reflecting on Three Decades of SANEF
In 2026, the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) will mark its 30th anniversary. This milestone provides a timely opportunity to critically examine the organisation’s contribution to South Africa’s media landscape, its role in shaping sociocultural and sociopolitical discourse, and its impact on journalistic practices in the country. This edited volume seeks to bring together diverse perspectives from academics, journalists, media practitioners, legal experts, historians, political scientists, civil society activists and cultural commentators to reflect on SANEF’s journey over the past 30 years.
more opportunities
We are united by the belief that democracy needs good journalism, and that quality journalism education can help the continent and its people get the information services they deserve.
WE ARE UNITED IN VISION
MEMBERSHIP
Join Our Network, Set the Standard for Africa’s media
Join Ajen Network to connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional network. Unlock opportunities to learn more and improve your career.
NEWS & UPDATES
News
New Publications in April 2025
Explore our latest list of new publications and articles that explore various facets of digital media, communication, social dynamics and other areas related to the African communications and media studies research community. From foundational dialogues with key African scholars, an exposé on deception in digital platforms to a critical rethinking of South African journalism’s colonial roots, each work offers urgent insights into power, history and the future of communication in Africa.
Power of Perspectives: How Women’s Leadership is Redefining Press Freedom in the African Media
The Journalism Students Network of Zimbabwe (JSNA) convened a virtual webinar themed “Power of Perspectives: How Women’s Leadership is Redefining Press Freedom in the African Media”, which brought together prominent women media leaders from across Africa to discuss this evolving dynamic.
Ajen Symposium Highlights Crucial Role of Campus Media
AJEN’s Campus Media Symposium highlighted the role of campus media as a practical training platform for students. Discussions emphasised challenges like censorship, limited resources and lack of support. Experts stressed the need for improved infrastructure, policy support and greater institutional recognition to enhance campus media effectiveness.
Rwandan Academics Launch Journalism Education Network
Rwandan journalism and communication educators have launched the Rwanda Journalism Education Network (RJEN), which plans to engage with the media industry to align journalism education with job market needs and improve journalism standards in the country.
United States Funding Freeze Endangers Independent Journalism
Several independent media organisations around the world are reeling from the US government’s withdrawal of funding, which was announced in January by President Donald Trump’s administration. World-renowned organisations such as the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) are severely affected by the funding freeze, which might lead to the closure of some of their projects in several countries worldwide.
Survey to Map the Independent Media Meltdown
There appears to have been a global meltdown of independent media organisations following the freezing of US government foreign aid after January 2025.
African media industry bodies have partnered with the Code for Africa’s (CfA) media research unit, CivicSignal, to survey how community media and small independent publishers navigate economic challenges.
Bridging Media Landscapes: Reflections on the AMAZE Program and Lessons for Ghanaian Journalism.
The rapid development of the global news media makes it essential for journalists to learn from other regions through international programs. My time on the AMAZE program helped African journalism educators in the early stages of their careers learn about European and German media through an educational experience that changed my perspective. Through interactive lectures, newsroom visits, and practical training, I learned firsthand how different nations conduct their media work and the freedom they can enjoy while also analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the Ghanaian news industry. This experience broadened my understanding of the role of journalism in promoting democracy and the critical need for press freedom in developing societies.
Ajen Symposium on Campus Media
The African Journalism Education Network will host an online symposium on campus media governance and sustainability on 27 March 2025. The event, which will explore critical issues shaping student-run media with contributions from leading educators, media practitioners and researchers, will examine governance models, financial strategies and the evolving role of campus media in Africa.
New Publications in March 2025
Explore our latest list of new publications and articles that explore various facets of digital media, communication, social dynamics and other areas related to the African communications and media studies research community. From critical discourse analysis on migrant representation in Tunisia to the role of mass media in translating health research into policy in Nigeria, these new works explore the intersections of media, society and governance in Africa.
Meet Your Colleague: Agaredech Jemaneh
Dr. Agaredech Jemaneh, associate professor at Addis Ababa University, is a leading researcher in gender, media, and literature. Passionate about journalism education, she bridges academia and industry while shaping Ethiopia’s media landscape. As a founding member of the Ethiopian Media Women’s Association, she advocates for media literacy, ethics and journalistic integrity.
New PhD and MA programmes at UCU and UR powering on
Uganda Christian University (UCU) and the University of Rwanda (UR) have successfully enrolled their second cohorts in newly introduced PhD and master’s programmes in journalism, media, and communication studies. Supported by NLA University College and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with funding from Norad, these programmes are shaping the future of media professionals in Africa.
IPIE to launch scientific panel on AI impact on economic development
The International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE) will host the AI Action Summit in Paris in February 2025, launching a new panel to study AI’s impact on economic development and inclusion. The summit’s theme, “public interest AI,” highlights how AI is reshaping global access to financial services, banking, housing, and employment opportunities.
Queer Representation in African News Media: Navigating Criminalisation and Visibility
Queer representation in African media remains deeply contested, shaped by societal attitudes and restrictive legal frameworks. With half of the world’s anti-homosexuality laws found on the continent, LGBTQ+ visibility faces censorship, newsroom intimidation, and outright bans. Even where same-sex relationships are not criminalised, queer individuals endure prejudice, violence, and marginalisation.
Wits University launches climate change multilingual project
The Wits Centre for Journalism (WCJ) has launched In My Culture, a project aimed at breaking language barriers in climate action. In collaboration with climateXchange (cXc), the initiative seeks to build an online platform that collects words and stories reflecting local understandings of climate change.
Ethiopia to host the 15th EACA conference
The 15th East African Communication Association (EACA) conference will take place from August 27–29 2025, at Addis Ababa University’s School of Journalism and Communication in Ethiopia. Centered on the theme ‘Media and Communication in Africa’s Integration’, the conference aims to foster a mature, robust, and professional media and communication ecosystem across the continent.