Open and inclusive dialogue and debate form a vital part of a healthy, participatory democracy as it promotes the shaping of discourse and a common agenda. Fesmedia Africa is committed to providing platforms for constructive dialogue and debate, formation of fresh ideas and sharing of experiences. We believe that for strong democratic societies to emerge and be sustained, it is crucial that all citizens, political players, advocates, and campaigners are given the opportunity to examine the decisions, policies, and laws taken and implemented in their country. This creates room for constructive debate, which leads to bold and innovative ideas and the building of consensus and inclusive development, good governance, and peace. We strive to achieve this through commissioning papers and convening meetings and conferences such as:
We commission and publish a series of papers in the format of “FES Perspectives”, covering themes such as Digital Rights, Access to Information, Freedom of Expression, Media and Press Freedom, Media Viability and Human Rights. The papers analyse these themes and propose new and innovative ideas and strategies that can be deployed to galvanise democracies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Following a regional conference on Information and Communication Rights in Africa held in June 2023, Fesmedia Africa convenes virtual discussions on Digital Rights, Access to information, Freedom of Expression, Media and Press Freedom, Media Viability, Human Rights, and other related themes. The virtual dialogues with translation to French and Portuguese are a platform for all interested stakeholders to unpack issues and have dialogue guided by our “Perspectives” and other relevant papers and publications.
Fesmedia Africa convenes regional conferences on Digital Rights, Access to Information, Freedom of Expression, Media and Press Freedom, Media Viability, Human Rights and other relevant themes. The conferences bring together government officials, advocates, academics, and media professionals, as well as regional and international bodies and institutions, to exchange ideas and collectively formulate roadmaps and strategies to advance these notions at the local, regional, and continental levels.
In June 2023, we co-hosted a regional conference on Information and Communication Rights in Africa together with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), in partnership with UNESCO Windhoek Office and the Namibia Media Trust (NMT). The objectives of the conference were to:
