Call for Articles - Special Issue of /Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies/

Vol. 32:2, 2011: Media Freedom in Africa*

*Deadline for submissions of full papers:* 30 November 2010

*Contact:* Send all submissions to Herman Wasserman, h.wasserman@ru.ac.za < mailto:h.wasserman@ru.ac.za>

/Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies/ is now listed on the ISI Social Science Citation Index and will be published by Routledge as from 2011. For author information see: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/RECQ

The controversial proposals in South Africa for a Protection of Public Information Bill and a Media Appeals Tribunal have caused widespread concern in that country. These proposed measures are seen as threats to freedom of expression and of the media, and have met with resistance from civil society, journalists and journalism educators in South Africa and internationally.

Some see the latest developments in South Africa as following a trend in other postcolonial African states of restricting the freedom of journalists to act as watchdogs of the public and to report on corruption often endemic in African countries. Journalists and editors favour self-regulation as the remedy for the excesses of the media.

Others dismiss the view that South Africa is following in the footsteps of other African countries as informed by an Afro-pessimistic attitude, and point to the imperfections of journalism (such as 'brown-envelope journalism' or the influence wielded by capital over editorial content) as justification for stronger controls.



This issue of /Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies/ wants to consider the debates around media freedom in South Africa as a point of departure to examine the state of media freedom on the African continent in general. Articles are invited that examine various or different aspects of the relationship between the media, government and capital, assess existing regulatory processes and analyse the discourses around notions of 'freedom', 'responsibility' and the 'public interest'.

Articles taking an analytical approach rather than providing descriptive overviews, especially comparative analyses, will receive preference.

Empirical studies, including case studies and content analyses, are also welcomed.

Questions may include but are not limited to:

* • How do statutory restrictions on media freedom in Africa impact

on journalism?

* • What are the main normative frameworks to which journalists and

politicians in Africa appeal?

* • Is there a tension between media freedom and calls for

journalism to serve a developmental or socially reconstructive

function in African societies?

* • What media accountability systems exist in Africa, and how could

they be improved?

* • How do media ownership and diversity impact on journalism

practice in African countries?

* • How should journalism education respond to threats to media freedom?

* • How can journalism contribute to critical citizenship in a

climate of mistrust?

* • How does the situation pertaining to media freedom in South

Africa compare to the position of the media elsewhere in Africa?


*Call for Articles - Special Issue of /Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies/*

*Vol. 32:3, 2011: Media and the production of public debate in Africa***

*Guest Editor:* Anthea Garman (School of Journalism and Media Studies, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa) *Deadline for abstracts: *October 30, 2010 *Deadline for full papers: *February 7, 2011

*Contact: *Send all submissions to Anthea Garman, a.garman@ru.ac.za

/Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies /is now listed on the ISI Social Science Citation Index and will be published by Routledge as from 2011. For author information see: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/RECQ

Research article submissions are invited for a special issue of /Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies /on the theme of "Media and the production of public debate in Africa"

Many theorists have taken issue with the public sphere as the normative standard, as defined by Habermas. The modern configuration of media institutions, political power and issues aired in public does not necessarily lead to either the formation of recognisable public opinion or to social and political change.

If we use the Habermas study as an "indispensable point of theoretical departure" (as Calhoun, 1992, advises), we may find that an examination of "actually existing" public spheres (to use Nancy Fraser's phrase) offers up insights into the new and inventive ways publics in Africa today are using public spaces to air topics of concern and interest via different mediums.

Political, social, economic and aesthetic questions about agency, identity, belonging and voice, provoked by our contemporary context, may be well served by a relook at public spheres, public deliberation, public debate and public intellectual activity, and the way various types of media are providing platforms for journalism in Africa today.

This edition calls for papers which elucidate the working of and uses of public sphere in Africa now. Submissions are sought on:

* • case studies and empirical studies as well as

critical-analytical overview papers

* • contributions and performances in public that may not be

considered classic cases of 'rational-critical' debate, but which

are raising pertinent issues of identity, citizenship, voice,

belonging, authenticity, authority and power.

* • different 'journalisms' in Africa and the construction of

alternative public spheres


Herman Wasserman

Professor of Journalism and Media/Cultural Studies School of Journalism and Media Studies Rhodes University PO Box 94 Grahamstown

6140

South Africa

Tel +27 (046) 603 7141

Fax +27 (0)862735345

Email:h.wasserman@ru.ac.za

Web:http://www.ru.ac.za/jms/staff/mediastudies

Editor, Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies < http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/RECQ>