Clear messages, democratic structures – Political communication across Africa

E-Lection Bridge Durban 2014

Passionate discussions and a concentrated working-atmosphere on the first conference day: The E-Lection Bridge 2014 taking place in sunny Durban serves as a platform for political communicators of 12 different African countries for exchanging ideas about goals and problems of their daily work.

Beruflich mit einem Bein im Gefängnis

Gesetzliche Einschränkungen von Journalisten Hauptthema beim IPI World Congress

Journalisten, die ihre Aufgabe als Vierte Gewalt im Staat ernst nehmen, sehen sich in vielen afrikanischen Ländern einer äußerst restriktiven Mediengesetzgebung ausgeliefert. Viele der Gesetze stammen aus der Kolonialzeit, als es den Regierungen darum ging, Medien möglichst unkritisch zu halten. Nun wurde das Thema auf dem jährlichen Kongress des International Press Institute in Südafrika diskutiert.

Studien- und Dialogprogramm für politische Kommunikatoren aus Subsahara-Afrika

Inlandsprogramme der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

Auf Einladung der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung hält sich diese Woche eine Delegation aus Namibia, Tansania, Südafrika, Uganda und der Elfenbeinküste in Berlin auf. Begleitet wird die Gruppe von unserem Leiter des Medienprogramms Subsahara-Afrika in Südafrika, Herrn Christian Echle. Organisiert wurde das Besucherprogramm vom Team Inlandsprogramme.

Working together for more Fairness in Africa’s Media Landscape

A Report on the Media Law Reform in Africa Conference in Cape Town by Christian Echle and Katharina Lang

In many African countries, freedom of expression and editorial independence of the media, are often only guaranteed on paper. In many cases media laws from the colonial era continue to be or are altered without contributing to a significant change. In countries with restrictive governments especially, journalists often face long-term jail sentences for writing critical reports, although the applied laws contradict the constitution.

„Swimming with Crocodiles“– Power Reporting 2013

More than 300 attendants at the 5th Conference for Investigative Journalists in Africa - by Katharina Lang

Investigative journalists often experience unequal balances of power. Especially when dealing with powerful corporations they have to show bravery and tenacity. David Barstow, journalist at the New York Times, calls this “Dancing with Elephants”. This Pulitzer-Prize winner uncovered one of the largest bribery scandals at Walmart in Mexico. Barstow shared his investigative story about Walmart at this year’s Power Reporting Conference and highlighted how important it was to prepare.

Like, Post, Share – The Power of Social Media in Campaigning

Report on the E-lection Bridge Academy in Johannesburg by Tanja Schreiner

„Young people are extremely important. And it is crucial to start things early in life”, Norbert Mao, chairman of the Uganda Democratic Party, emphasized during the first E-lection Bridge Academy in Johannesburg. Mao, who was a candidate in Uganda’s last presidential elections, started campaigning for the local student parliament early in his life.

Freiheit und Demokratie fördern in einer multipolaren Welt

Mitarbeiterkonferenz Afrika und Naher Osten der KAS in Arusha/Tansania

Eröffnet durch Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering, Vorsitzender der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, fand vom 1. bis 7. September 2013 die Mitarbeiterkonferenz aller Leiter der Auslandbüros der Stiftung in Afrika und im Nahen Osten statt. Neben Gesprächen mit hochrangigen Vertretern von BMZ und GIZ standen die Themen „Politischer Islam“, sicherheitspolitische Fragen, „Rohstoffökonomien, Entwicklung und Demokratie“ sowie das Verhältnis zu den politischen Partnern der KAS im Mittelpunkt der Tagung in der tansanischen Stadt Arusha, dem Sitz der East African Community.

From Taxi Radio to Solar Radio: Challenges and Opportunities for Africa’s Most Important Medium

Report on the Joburg Radio Days 2013 by Tanja Schreiner

“It was a real career highlight to get to come to South Africa and speak at the conference,” Sam Cavanagh from Southern Cross Austere in Australia reported after the fourth edition of Joburg Radio Days that was held from July 3 – 5, 2013 at the Wits Club at Wits University. As before, the conference aimed to bring together people from public, community and commercial radio to discuss issues of common concern. With some 160 delegates from 12 countries attending, feedback throughout was very positive.

Innovation Africa – Afrolabs boom

Hundreds of people crowded on a platform at the Berlin Station. Little queues appeared at the entrance - a mixture of young, old, European and the world. What they all have in common is their interest in innovation. Numerous bloggers, journalists and internet experts assembled from 6th to 8th May in Berlin for re:publica, one of Europe’s biggest internet and social media conferences. Under this year’s slogan, “In/Sight/Out”, they discussed the increasing integration of online and offline life. Unusual for an international technology congress, there was a strong focus on the African continent.

Mutual problems, collective solutions

E-lection Bridge 2013 in Windhoek

African elections are often confronted with manageable expectations from a worldwide community that hope for as little bloodletting as possible and mostly democratic elections whose outcome does not endanger the stability of the particular region. The omnipresent reports about buying of votes, clan politics and intimidation among political opponents, bedim the fact that there are nevertheless plenty of ambitiously executed election campaigns which are based on modern means of political communication.