The Southern Africa Media Diversity Journal: Media Diversity & Sustainability

The second Gender and Media summit closed in Johannesburg in September 2006 with a call for greater media diversity in all areas – ownership, content and audiences. Held under the theme “Media Diversity: Good for Democracy, good for businessÀ the summit highlighted a number of ways in which the media is failing in one of its core functions – giving voice to the voiceless. The summit, convened by Gender Links (GL), the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), and the Gender and Media Southern Africa (GEMSA) Network brought together 224 media practitioners, editors, media marketing executives, as well as gender activists. The two day programme featured 81 examples of good practice in diversifying sources, markets and ownership of the media. Some 50 of these have been selected for this bumper edition of the Media Diversity Journal.

This issue of the Media Diversity Journal reflects the enormous amount of work that is already taking place. It should spur us to take that work to even greater heights. Collectively, we can create a media that is a powerful force in shaping our fragile democracies through ensuring that all citizens, women and men, young and old, of all ethnic and racial hues, have their say. The energy that runs through these pages should serve as an inspiration for all of us.

ISBN: 0-620-36084-4
Publisher: OSISA
Edition: 2nd Issue
Year of Publication: 2009