News
Ajen publishes a monthly newsletter, called AJENda, to keep colleagues aware of changes to the journalism landscape in Africa from an academic, research and professional point of view.
New Publications in June
Explore our June list of new publications that highlight a variety of aspects related to the African communications and media studies research community. These works cover a variety of topics from xenophobia in the media to an exploration of the intersection between mental health and African communitarianism during COVID-19.
Pathways to viability: Community radio in Ethiopia
Ajenda spoke to Ethiopian media expert Asrat Seyoum, who recently conducted a comprehensive media viability assessment on Ethiopia’s community radio landscape through Fojo Media Institute.
Meet Your Colleague: Franz Krüger
Seasoned South African journalist and educator, Dr. Franz Krüger has mastered the art of rolling with the punches in the ever-changing media industry. “I like the intellectual challenge of engaging with an environment that is changing all the time,” he says. Get to know more about him in our Meet Your Colleague interview series.
Journalism students see an industry in crisis. It’s time to talk about it
It’s hard not to see the journalism industry as one in crisis. Across the country, the outlook for the future of news is — at best — uncertain. Not talking about the state of the industry is not an option for journalism educators.
Journalism graduates swelling newsroom staff numbers in Namibia
Namibian journalism graduates are increasingly joining staff in newsrooms, public relations and government jobs. This is a departure from a scenario where newsrooms, in particular, would employ people without journalism education and would train them on the job.
New Publications in May
Explore our May list of new publications that highlight a variety of aspects related to the African communications and media studies research community. These works cover a variety of topics from museums as spaces for healing and reconciliation and the impact of African communitarian values on mental health responses to critical examinations of media dynamics in Africa.
Tackling election mis- and disinformation
The digital and online realm has emerged as a battleground fraught with deep fake content
generated by artificial intelligence, propaganda, fake news and other forms of mis- and
disinformation. As approximately 70 countries head to the polls this year, the results will have
profound and long-lasting consequences.
World Press Freedom Day celebrated through a range of themes in Africa
The World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), on May 3 was celebrated through various themes in different countries on the African continent. Globally, the 31st WFPD was celebrated under the theme ‘A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis’.
UNESCO initiative boosts journalism education in Africa
A UNESCO initiative to strengthen journalism education in Africa has seen more than 735 journalism students, 556 journalists and 123 journalism educators and 10 journalism schools in different countries taking part and benefiting from the programme.
Novel media and communication MA programme kicks off in Rwanda
The newly-introduced master’s programme in media and communication at the University of Rwanda (UR) is well underway, breaking new ground in that country.
Industry unable to retain journalism graduates in Zambia
Journalism training in Zambia has been growing in leaps and bounds but the industry appears to be unable to employ and retain graduates due to the poor working conditions it offers.
Shot in the arm for journalism, media and communication research
Research in journalism, media and communication is about to get a shot in the arm following the launching of an initiative to introduce a groundbreaking research project in these fields.
Ajen launches website, plans conference
The African Journalism Education Network (Ajen) has launched a website packed with new features, announced a new partnership with the research portal Afromedia.network and is working towards another continental gathering of educators in August
New Publications in April
Explore our April list of new publications that highlight a variety of aspects related to the African communications and media studies research community. From using humor in elections and digital lifeworlds of Nigerian adolescents, and exploring the intersection of media, tourism, and place globally to focusing on people’s perspectives on COVID-19, fake news, and vaccination in South Africa.
Meet Your Colleague: Gillian Jones
Born and bred in Johannesburg, Gillian Jones brings over two decades of experience in journalism to her role as a financial journalism lecturer at the Wits Centre for Journalism.