We announce the formation of the Gender and Media Diversity Centre (GMDC),
Johannesburg, South Africa. The Centre is the initiative of two
organisations Gender Links (http://www.genderlinks.org.za) and GEMSA
(http://www.gemsa.org.za). The GMDC invites interested academic institutions
to enrich our processes from April 2007.
The Gender and Media Diversity Centre is an institutional base for
systematised and well programmed generation, collection, and dissemination
of knowledge. The centre will eventually house a wealth of knowledge
resulting from institutional research, codified best practices, and an
analysis of news items from regional partner institutions. It will also
share knowledge among, learn from and strengthen north-south and south-south
relations.
Objectives
a) Become a centre of excellence on new research, approaches and fresh
thinking on issues about gender and media in southern Africa.
b) Enhance the work and effectiveness of academics and practitioners
working in gender and media.
c) Support capacity building activities using case studies and other
tools designed for academics, students and professionals working in gender
and media.
d) Serve as platform for cutting edge information exchange on gender and
media issues.
e) Create a space for participatory discussion and promote public policy
dialogue through the media on gender issues in southern Africa;
f) Promote more probing, analytical and contextual journalism in the
region.
Research available
The Gender and Media Baseline Study (GMBS) conducted by Gender Links and the
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) in 2003 showed that women comprise
17 percent of news sources in Southern Africa, a figure similar to the
global finding of 18 percent (Global Media Monitoring Project 2000). The
GMBS also showed that women are often portrayed in a limited number of
roles, most often as sex objects or victims of violence.
The Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) in 2005 showed that progress is
being made, albeit slowly. Women now constitute 19 percent news sources
across the region, but in countries like South Africa the proportion has
increased to 26 percent; higher than the global average of 21 percent.
The sequel Gender and Media Audience Study in southern Africa (GMAS
2004/2005) that focused on consumer responses showed male and female
audiences still yearn for more positive news; greater local content and
greater diversity in the representation and portrayal of women and men than
what is being offered by the mainstream media.
Other studies include a comprehensive write up of the 'Mainstreaming Gender
into Entry Level Journalism at Polytechnic of Namibia' and 'Picture Our
Lives: A Training Pack on Images and Gender for African Newsrooms'.
(See Gender Links website for list of all present publications).
For further information contact Trevor Davies Trevor is in UK until 8th
April and contactable at:
[log in to unmask] or phone 02920 215161.
Thereafter contact him at [log in to unmask]
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