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
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.
FELLOWSHIP: UCT Centre for Film and Media Studies
The SARCHi SA-UK Bilateral Chair in the Digital Humanities, with a focus on Digital Media Sociology, based in the Centre for Film and Media Studies at the University of Cape Town, seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to contribute to interdisciplinary research projects that leverage digital tools and methodologies to advance humanities scholarship.
JOIN: International Journal of Critical Diversity Studies
The International Journal of Critical Diversity Studies, based out of the Wits Centre for Diversity Studies, is seeking two new editorial board members from South or Southern Africa. The journal is a bi-annual, fully open-access journal published by Pluto and accredited by the DHET for subsidy purposes. Rooted in an interdisciplinary approach, the journal engages with fields such as sociology, education, cultural and media studies, anthropology and political studies.
RESOURCE: SACOMM Emerging Scholar Database
The SACOMM Emerging Scholar Stream is building a network of emerging scholars across South African institutions. As part of this initiative, they are compiling a comprehensive database to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange and networking opportunities.
FELLOWSHIP: Centre for Information Integrity in Africa
The Centre for Information Integrity in Africa (CIIA) at Stellenbosch University is offering a postdoctoral fellowship, available to start immediately. This opportunity is ideal for researchers interested in exploring critical issues related to information integrity across the continent.
SUBMISSIONS: Public Sector Communication in the Digital Age: Volume II
Digital platforms have transformed how public sector institutions communicate with stakeholders. Governments increasingly use social media, e-government services, and AI-driven tools to enhance transparency, service delivery and citizen engagement. At the same time, stakeholders – citizens, businesses, and organisations – leverage these platforms for interaction and participation in governance. Scholars are invited to contribute book chapters that critically examine the effectiveness, challenges and impact of digital communication in the public sector.
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
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.
Social media: problematic platforms, problematic users
Social media is shaping the run-up to the German parliamentary elections, but studies show it’s also distorting political education. Platforms like X are amplifying echo chambers, spreading disinformation and fueling extremist content. While tech giants downplay their responsibility, the bigger issue is how users, often unaware of their own biases, rely on social media as their primary news source.
New Publications in February 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. Read a collection of case studies exploring how communication drives social transformation across African societies and other research that explores social change, health communication, disinformation, foundational scholarship, and media’s policy role.
New Publications in January 2025
Explore our latest list of new publications and articles hat explore various facets of digital media, communication, social dynamics and other areas related to the African communications and media studies research community. Read an analysis of Big Tech’s role and local platform innovation in cultural industries and research that addresses the integration of sustainable journalism principles into African curricula.
Meet Your Colleague: Joseph Njuguna
With a career spanning several years, Dr. Joseph Njuguna, a lecturer at Murang’a University of Technology in Kenya, is helping new crops of media specialists while providing unique insights on how media and technology can drive societal progress in East Africa. Find out more about him in our Meet Your Colleague interview series.
Climate change: Deserted land in journalism education
A 2024 joint study by the African Journalism Education Network and the European Journalism Observatory uncover a starling gap: that climate change reporting is missing from 64% of journalism curricula globally, leaving journalists underprepared for critical coverage.
Guide to online privacy for journalists
Journalists spend countless hours online, exposing themselves to cyber threats that could compromise their safety and the confidentiality of their sources. In the Ultimate Guide to Online Privacy for Journalists, cybersecurity writer RF Lucca highlights these dangers, including data theft, blackmail, and breaches of anonymity.