As the world prepares to open up, following a seismic shift in how things operate, we need to begin reimagining journalism post the pandemic. The Jamlab Meetup: Reimagining Journalism Series was created to explore the changes taking place within journalism and media in Africa.
Please do join us as we reimagine the future of journalism in Africa.
Upcoming events
25 Mar, 2021 Reclaiming African narratives through storytelling: What’s Needed? (Part 1 of 2)
This Jamlab Meetup in collaboration with the Civic Tech Innovation Network, aims to reflect upon work that is being done to decolonise African narratives, but also to look forward to resetting Africa onto a new path of solidifying its stories and futures. The session will unpack ways in which journalism, media and civic tech communities can contribute to reshaping African narratives.
Following from wide affirmation (including from our JAM Cafés in 2020) of the importance of African narratives, now that the need / rationale is established, what needs to be considered or to happen next?
The following guests will help us answer this question:
- Moky Makura, executive director of Africa No Filter – key observations about what needs to happen beyond affirmation? What she is trying to do.
- Herman Chinery-Hesse, founder and chairman of SoftTribe – as a startup, what do you think is needed from whom?
- Ainehi Edoro, founder and editor-in-chief of Brittle Paper, an African writers platform
This session 1 of 2 will take place at 12:00 – 13:00 CAT on Thursday, 25 March 2021.
22 Apr, 2021 Reclaiming African narratives through storytelling: Making it happen (Part 2 of 2)
This Jamlab Meetup in collaboration with the Civic Tech Innovation Network, aims to reflect upon work that is being done to decolonise African narratives. In this second part of the “Reclaiming African narratives” conversation, we are calling in the “Do’ers” to share their learnings on bringing others into the market, interrogating their models and innovations. What are issues that need attention e.g. around funding, policy environment, etc.
This session 2 of 2 will take place at 12:00 – 13:00 CAT on Thursday, 22 April 2021.
Past events
04 Mar, 2021 Jamlab Accelerator southern Africa Virtual Demo Day
Over the past six months we’ve been working with founders of seven impressive media startups from Angola, eSwatini, Madagascar, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, that have worked on innovations that we believe will have significant impact on the African media landscape.
At this #JamlabDemoDay, these startups will showcase their new ideas that will fix broken parts of the media system and introduce new media solutions to meet the needs of new audiences.
25 Feb, 2021 Reimagining media innovation and start-ups
What spaces are there for media innovation and especially for new media start-ups. Where are the gaps and opportunities? Where do we find the ‘white spaces’ for digital media start-ups and what support hubs, universities and others should be offering to grow and improve media innovation.
Panellists:
- Bilal Randeree – South Africa Media Innovation Program (South Africa)
- Njoki Chege – Media Innovation Center at Aga Khan University (Kenya)
29 Oct, 2020 Reimagining Policy & Governance
This is a conversation on lessons and practical actions for: governments, civil society, business, R&D.
We hear stories from three African countries on their transformation journey or the stage they’re at within the digital age of policy and governance. How are they doing this? What are some of the key lessons?
Panellists:
- Cristina Duarte (Cabo Verde)
- Aidan Eyakuze (Tanzania)
- Paul Platinga (South Africa)
+Host: Lesley Williams
This session will take place at 16:30 – 18:00 CAT on Thursday, October 29, 2020.
The “Urban JAM Café” series will be weekly “conversational” virtual sessions on the influential role the civic has played in media to increase public opinion & voice, and shape policy & governance in cities at the Urban Festival 2020, South Africa. The series is organised by the Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN) in partnership with Jamlab Meetup’s Reimagining Journalism Series.
22 Oct, 2020 Reimagining New Media and Voices
This Urban JAM Cafe looks into some of the interesting developments or directions in how public opinion – especially in increasingly young, urbanised African society – is being formed. This session seeks to learn about new media roles / tools / platforms / channels for facilitating urban influences on new media and voices. What are the implications of such? What are the new opportunities that are evident (towards positive change)? What lessons have we learned from this COVID-19 experience?
Panellists:
- Al Kags (Kenya)
- Tomiwa Aladekomo (Nigeria)
- Aya Chebbi (Tunisia) / Nadia El-Imam (Somali/Swedish)
This session will take place at 16:30 – 18:00 CAT on Thursday, October 22, 2020.
The “Urban JAM Café” series will be weekly “conversational” virtual sessions on the influential role the civic has played in media to increase public opinion & voice, and shape policy & governance in cities at the Urban Festival 2020, South Africa. The series is organised by the Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN) in partnership with Jamlab Meetup’s Reimagining Journalism Series.
15 Oct, 2020 Reimagining New Narratives
Storytelling session – storytellers and their stories.
As we reimagine the future of cities, of human society and how we live and intermingle with one another, technology and the planet – what is the role of the narratives we hold, and how are you using story / the narrative within your own pursuits? How can we transform ourselves and our society through our narrative(s)?
Panellists:
- Mutisunge Etter-Phoya (Malawi)
- Coumba Toure (Senegal)
- Anirban Dutta (India)
The “Urban JAM Café” series were weekly “conversational” virtual sessions on the influential role the civic has played in media to increase public opinion & voice, and shape policy & governance in cities at the Urban Festival 2020, South Africa. The series is organised by the Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN) in partnership with Jamlab Meetup’s Reimagining Journalism Series.
The Urban JAM Café are supported by Civicus, and Absa.
08 Oct, 2020 Reimagining Public Opinion & Satire
From Trevor Noah, to Coconut Kelz, Chester Missing, Evita Bezuidenhout, Zapiro and many others… political satire is as South African as pap and vleis. And while we are reminded that satire may not always change politics, it is “a powerful tool to probe propaganda, expose abuses of power, and poke fun at cultural and social taboos” (Perspectives #02/2016). Satire has become a critical edutainment form on various public and social media platforms, particularly reaching urban, connected and engaged populations, contributing to shaping public discourse. In this Café, we jam with some of Africa’s current exciting satirists to hear about their work, journeys, perspectives and experiences in this field.
Panellists:
- Tafadzwa Tseisi – Magamba TV, Zimbabwe
- Masoud Kipanya – ‘Kipanya’ Tooning, Tanzania
- Stephen Horn – Politically Aweh, SA
The “Urban JAM Café” series will be weekly “conversational” virtual sessions on the influential role the civic has played in media to increase public opinion & voice, and shape policy & governance in cities at the Urban Festival 2020, South Africa. The series is organised by the Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN) in partnership with Jamlab Meetup’s Reimagining Journalism Series.
The Urban JAM Café are supported by Civicus, and Absa.
01 Oct, 2020 Jamlab Accelerator Virtual Demo Day
An opportunity to see the Jamlab Accelerator ventures and to meet the teams behind them. During this session, alumni and current fellows showcase their innovative and game changing business in a show and tell type of style.
This session will take place at 13:00 – 14:00 CAT on Thursday, October 01, 2020.