Media Development and Sustainability in Africa

International Conference

The second conference on media development and sustainability is part of a project conducted in collaboration with the University of St. Gallen and funded by the Swiss Network for International Studies. 

Building on the first conference on media development and sustainability that took place in 2015, this 2nd edition of the conference addresses media development by focusing on the enabling technologies such as telecommunications and Internet access.

As both the audience and the speakers will be international, the simultaneous translation English/French will be provided.

Objective​ of the conference

The conference aims at investigating the impact of varying foreign ownership structures and managerial practices on (a) media and telecommunications policies, and (b) democratic and economic development in African countries.
 
Free and independent information media are fundamental for both the economic and democratic development of societies. However, how can free and independent information be ensured? Media are being shaped by internet-based and mobile communications technologies, which allow a dramatic reduction of content production and distribution costs. On one hand, this helps media outlets to overcome financial constraints, develop and thus improve access to information, on the other hand, internet service providers and mobile operators have become the true gatekeepers of information.
 
Considering the importance of of the free flow of information for democracy but also for economic development, we seek to understand how and under which conditions foreign investors can contribute to the African telecommunication sector as well as to media and telecom policies, beyond the mere financing of communication infrastructure. Further, we aim at shedding light on how foreign investment can help to achieve the related UN sustainable development goals, thus contribute to the democratic and economic development of the African continent.
 
In order to advance research in the field but also to stimulate a constructive dialogue between practitioners and academics, this conference dedicates:

• one day to an academic workshop, and
• one day to professional contributions.

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