The conference, held in Ghana, will focus on the media, democracy, terrorism, and security.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Africa Media and Democracy Institute (AMDI) recently organised the fourth Africa Media and Democracy Conference which will be addressed by Ghana’s president John Dramani Mahama.
The main theme of the conference is “Media, Democracy and Security”, and is set to bring together a wide array of delegates from around the world, such as politicians, media broadcasters and owners, print, online, and community journalists as well as NGO members.
The conference highlights terrorism as a major threat that needs to be effectively addressed by the media. For this reason, there will also be a training workshop for media professionals on “Reporting Terrorism and Media Crisis Management”, to equip them with the skills necessary to respond and deal with these threats.
“I think we live in an era where terrorism and the threat of terrorism is not a figment of imagination,” said Dr Affail Monney, the President of GJA, to Ghana’s News Agency. “Hence those at the front of such [an] occurrence must update their skills and techniques.”
It is therefore fundamental that journalists are well trained to respond to the challenge.
“Media practitioners are part of those at the forefront when there is an occurrence,” Monney added. “So I believe our members will immensely benefit from such training.”
The conference will also discuss the value of democracy and the role media has in strengthening it among crises and threats to security. “Africa’s effort in consolidating its democracies and rule of law is potentially threatened by this phenomenon of terrorist attacks,” said Barima Adu Asamoa, AMDI’s executive director. “It must therefore be supported by an effective and engaging media practitioners, adequately equipped without escalating often a highly volatile situation.”
The conference will be held at the Accra International Conference Centre from August 25-August 26.