Media Freedom Week (MFW18) is almost upon us and we are thrilled to announce our fiery line-up!
For those not familiar with MFW, it is an action-packed series of events that serve as an opportunity for us to ponder, probe and interrogate some of key media-related issues of the moment. It is hosted at the end of October every year to honour Black Wednesday (19 October), and this year, we will also be celebrating MMA’s 25th birthday!

Each early evening discussion (18h00 – 20h00) is free of charge and is open the public. For more information and to RSVP, please use the links below.

MONDAY: 22 October 2018: 

RSVP link: Journalism is in crisis. Can children save the day?

Journalism in crisis: Can children save the day?Media is in turmoil on all fronts and reader surveys show again and again how people are switching off the news. How do we win the public back? How do we restore trust? Hint: We tell them stories about issues and people that they care about! If you are worried about the state of our journalism, and if you want to see a future for our media and our children, come and be inspired!
We will also be announcing the winners of our coveted Isu elihle awards! The Awards honour journalists across the African continent who have come up with the most innovative and creative story ideas about children!

MC: Siki Mgabadeli

Panellists:

• Taryn Hinton: MMA Legal Advisor
• Beth Amato: Journalist & former Isu Elihle Winner
• Reggy Moalusi: Editor-in-Chief Daily Sun
• Tshinanne Ngwedzeni: Former child media monitor

TUESDAY: 23 October: 

RSVP link:  Are we “post truth” or “post journalism” and does it really matter?

Are we “post truth” or “post journalism”, and does it really matter?  We live in a world where all the information you want is at your fingertips, and with “fake news” on the tip of everyone’s tongue, how do we know who to trust? Indeed, is there still even a place for trustworthy news anymore? If you are keen to learn the difference between propaganda and proper journalism and whether it really matters (hint: it does!), then join us for an early evening panel discussion as we share some solutions into the complex world of misinformation and how media credibility can be rebuilt!

Panellists:

• Chris Louw: Digital Strategist at Caxton Community Newspapers
• Jennifer Thomas: Assistant professor at Howard University
• Phathiswa Magopeni: Group Executive For News & Current Affairs Division SABC
• Khadija Patel: Editor-in-Chief at Mail and Guardian

WEDNESDAY 24 October: 

RSVP link: The SABC: On its way up or on its way out?

SABC: On its way up or on its way out?  The SABC has rocked from disaster to calamity over the last decade. Yet for the first time, we have an independent board, a new head of news and two independent inquiries taking place. Do these changes signal a new era for South Africa’s public broadcaster or are we set for more of the same? Join us as we unpack this issue from experts both inside and outside the SABC.

MC: Krivani Pillay: ENCA, PRIMEDIA & SABC

Panellists:

• Justine Limpitlaw: Electronic communications lawyer
• Madoda Mxakwe: SABC
• Lethabo Dibetso: Media Development and Diversity Agency
• Duduetsang Makuse: SOS Coalition National Coordinator

THURSDAY 25 October: 

RSVP link: #Elections2019: The bots are ready… Are you?

#Elections2019 The bots are ready… Are you?    Around the world, we are seeing how elections and public narratives are being swayed, manipulated and distorted by a range of online forces. With next year’s elections posed to be the most contested South Africans elections since 1994, we know that some will seek to deliberately undermine our democracy. Join us as we hear from experts to what we can expect next year and how best we can respond to some of these threats!

So bring your controversial ideas and innovative solutions, and we look forward to seeing you there!

MC: Stephen Grootes: SAFM

Panellists:

• Avani Singh: lawyer | director & co-founder of Alt Advisory & Power Singh Inc
• Adam Oxford: Freelance journalist
• Prof. Tawana Kupe: University Of The Witwatersrand
• IEC representative: TBC

For more information, you can contact us at info@mma.org.za or on (011) 788 – 1278, or check our our website (www.mediamonitoringafrica.org).