Wits hosts conference on elections, media in Africa

The Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER) and the Department of Political Studies at Wits will be hosting a two-day conference this week on Recent Elections and the Media in Africa, 11-12 October 2010. The aim is to encourage debate across the media (print, electronic media, radio and TV), as well as create a wider knowledge among scholars and the general public on how the media works and how it affects daily lives.

Two of Wits academics, Liz Gunner from WISER and Sheila Meintjes from the Wits Department of Political Studies, will convene the event.

African context

The speakers are from many parts of the African region allowing for debate in an African context. The papers compare techniques and strategies of media representation in recent African elections. Others analyse struggles to control the media during elections.

Another topic speakers will cover is popular efforts to find a space for voices in the media, as well as questions of gender and leadership and the role of satire and subversion through the media during elections.

The conference runs from 9.30am to 6.30pm on Monday, and 10.30am to 5pm on Tuesday.

To view the programme, go to http://wiserweb.wits.ac.za/. For more information email az.ca.stiw@hkumhseD.ahbijaN.

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