Afrika-seminar: At kommunikere om Afrika

Around 2008, East Africa was connected to the world wide web via the subsea cable which linked the region via the Indian Ocean to the Middle East and South Africa. Gradually faster, cheaper mobile access to Internet led to a change in opportunities for communication in big parts of Africa.

Africa is unevenly represented in Danish media coverage in spite of the fact that some of the countries in the continent have been top recipients of Danish development aid since the 1960s. Moreover, much of mainstream communication of Africa frequently features perceptions of the continent, which were created centuries ago.

Africa, however, seems to have revoked a new interest which may challenge the trend of stereotypical narratives. Danish Broadcasting has assigned a correspondent covering the continent. Critical debate of how Africa is covered has also emerged among development actors and journalists.

These are some of the turning points for the seminar facilitated by CAS, where we hope to add new perspectives to the debate.

Program

14:00-14.10 Welcome by Karen Lauterbach, Associate Professor, CAS

Amanda Hammar, Director and MSO Professor, CAS

What is Africa exactly, and how is it represented? What difference does it make when we communicate Africa as an idea or as a geographical location?

14:20-15:20 NGOs, mediatisation and Africa

Ben Jones, Senior Lecturer in Development Studies, University of East Anglia

Many international NGOs value those parts of their work that are suited to media representation: campaigning, advocacy, projects that produce the right sort of images. Using a case analysis of an international NGO, Ben Jones suggests that the concept of mediatisation might be a useful way to understand some of the changes observed in the NGO sector.

Morten Nielsen, Head of Secretariat of Afrika Kontakt

Afrika Kontakt has, as one of the few NGOs in Denmark, critiicised how Africa is commmunicated by development actors to the Danes. Other NGOs are less critical. What is at stake? What can be achieved?

Pernille Bærendtsen, Journalist and MA-student at CAS

15:20 Round of questions from the audience

16:00-16:30 Perspectives on Africa in Danish Media

Is it a matter of choosing between a positive or a pessimistic approach? What is communicated and why? What informs the editorial choices made?

Søren Bendixen, Africa-Correspondent at Danish Broadcasting Cooperation (DR)

As newly appointed Africa-correspondent at DR, Søren Bendixen will talk about the plans for covering Africa in the news.

Stig Jensen, Associate Professor at CAS

Does Danish media prefer news from Africa that confirms a pessimistic perspective and what might be some of the reasons for this?

Moderator: Hanne Selsnæs, Journalist/Communication Advisor, Selnæs Kommunikation

The seminar will be held in English. The seminar is free but you will have to register participation at [email protected] the 22 March at noon at the latest.