By | October 3, 2018
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Namibian Media and Communication Industry Conference

Conference Background

The conference will feature presentations on the history, development and current status of the Namibian media and communication industry. This would involve traditional media – radio, TV and newspaper -, film, social and new media, adjuncts of the media such as advertising and public relations entities, regulatory and professional bodies such as CRAN, PRISA, advertising standard panel, media/communication laws and ethics, audience research firms etc. It would involve participation of academics and practitioners in the media and communication industry.  The papers presented at the conference will be re-worked as chapters for the planned book –The Namibian Media and Communication Industry (E. Akpabio & F. Mwilima [Eds.])

In Namibia, population pressure and climate change, as manifested in alternating floods and droughts, have caused resource degradation, food insecurity and poverty, consequently weakening local and national economies. The University of Namibia through its various Campuses is mandated to train students, conduct research and perform community services. The conference is aimed to fulfil these important national duties by formulating interventions that would promote household and community resilience, so as to build relationships with international organizations, government, non-governmental organisations and agencies for further improvements in teaching and research.

2022 Intakes in Namibia [Universities, Colleges, VTC Intake]

Themes and Topics

1. OVERVIEW OF THE NAMIBIAN MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION INDUSTRY

Tracing the history of print, broadcast, film, advertising, public relations and new and social media; history and modus operandi of regulatory and professional bodies, audience research firms etc.

Subthemes

  • The Namibian communication industry
  • The regulatory framework
  • Overview of the Namibian Media

2. PRINT JOURNALISM

Background and issues in Namibian journalism – newspapers and magazines, online journalism, social media, multimedia journalism, citizen journalism, mobile journalism etc.

Subthemes

  • The history of print media in Namibia
  • The training needs of Namibian journalists
  • Digitisation of the Namibian print media
  • The state of investigative journalism in Namibia
  • Media convergence, cross promotion, changing delivery of news, information graphics, data-driven journalism
  • Conglomeration

3. BROADCAST JOURNALISM

History and development of broadcasting in Namibia, radio and TV in the digital age etc.

Subthemes

  • The history of broadcast journalism in Namibia
  • The state and challenges of public broadcasting in Namibia
  • Privately-owned broadcast entities – roles, financing, challenges
  • The regulatory framework of broadcasting in Namibia

4. THE NAMIBIAN CREATIVE INDUSTRY (FILM & VIDEO)

Film production and reception, linkages with African and international players, awards, career outlook, etc.

 Subthemes

  1. History of the Namibian film industry
  2. Organisation of the film industry
  3. The funding models of the Namibian film industry
  4. The challenges of the Namibian film and video production/reception

 5. LAWS, ETHICS AND REGULATION

An examination of laws, policies and regulations in the Namibian media and communication industryetc.

 Subthemes

  • The state of media laws and ethics in the Namibian media
  • Regulatory framework
  • Access to information
  • The Namibian media code of ethics and conduct

6. ADVERTISING

History and evolution of advertising in Namibia, effects of advertising, the advertising industry – agencies, client/agency relationship, the suppliers in advertising, the media in advertising etc.

Subthemes

  • Marketing and advertising research
  • Marketing and advertising planning
  • Media planning
  • Integrated marketing communication
  • Advertising and social marketing campaigns
  • Product, service and institutional advertising
  • Ethics in advertising

7. PUBLIC RELATIONS (PR)

Evolution of Namibian public relations, roles and specialties, organizational settings etc.

 Subthemes

  • Evolution, organisation and management of PR in Namibia
  • The state of Namibian public relations – government and public affairs, business and industry PR, non-profits, trade associations and nongovernmental organizations
  • Public relations in the era of social media
  • Corporate social responsibility/corporate social investment

8. NEW AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Digital media technologies, their deployment and use in Namibia

Subthemes

  • Digital transformations
  • Cyberspace/virtual reality
  • Digital copyright/creative commons
  • The digital divide
  • Digital economy
  • Privacy and surveillance
  • User-generated content

Conference Fees

Fees: N$500 (Students N$250)

Contacts

Contact person: Prof Eno Akpabio (Department of Information and Communication Studies, University of Namibia eakpabio@unam.na; 0612064794)