The Media Council of Malawi (MCM) would like to inform its stakeholders that it will introduce a Media Symposium on 26th November 2023, an annual event that will be held to create a platform for deliberation on developments affecting the media industry in Malawi.
1.0 Back Ground Information
Globally, media is celebrated. Global signature days for celebrating the media include the World Press Freedom Day, which falls on 3rd May, annually. This day acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom. Nationally, the World Press Freedom Day is also celebrated through annual events organized by the Media Institute for Southern Africa-Malawi Chapter. Besides the WPFD, a few other convening’s of media-related events are also hosted by industrial specific professionals such as the Public Relations Society of Malawi, among others. However, the media sector still needs a forum where media ecosystem actors can convene annually to reflect, strategize and share ideas and inspirations for developing the local media sector and addressing key emerging issues facing the industry.
2.0 Inception of Annual Media Symposium
Media Council of Malawi (MCM) intends to host the inaugural annual media symposium with the aim of bringing together and enable the media ecosystem actors to engage, share emerging trends in media development, showcase their services, share and learn innovations, and meet potential collaborators. This symposium is envisaged to bring an opportunity to the industry players to gain an overview of developments in the media sector in Malawi and across the globe. The symposium will also provide an opportunity for the academia and media researchers to present their work to inform the future of media and other related activities. It also provides a platform for local media entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations and products and explore the media market.
The symposium will be a two-day conference, with side events, aimed at providing a forum and maximum time for media actors and stakeholders, offering unmatched networking opportunities for delegates, speakers and others to share experiences, celebrate successes and develop actions for addressing emerging challenges and embracing technology and digital media in the industry.
The Media Symposium will be hosted annually as a platform for networking, learning and exchanging experiences among peers. Academia, media practitioners and media owners and managers, will come together to deliberate on a viable media trajectory amidst the current challenges and future projections.
The 2023 Media Symposium is the first of its kind to be organized in Malawi by the media governing body, a unique signature forum for celebrating and assessing the strides in the media sector.
3.0 2023 Media Symposium Theme
The theme for the 2023 Media Symposium is “Reflecting media policy, regulatory models and practices to reshape spaces for media development, sustainability, and civic engagement”.
3.1 Sub-Themes
The symposium theme has two sub-themes that will guide discussions for each day of the event. The sub-themes are as follows;
Day-one: Media Policy and legal frameworks: The first day of the symposium will cover legal and policy areas including related media legal issues; the media self-regulation model for Malawi; and other legal issues affecting the media industry in Malawi.
Day-two: Media in the digital era: Embracing technology and digital media development, laws and policies around online platforms that have an impact on interactive media services and media development interventions.
4.0 Conference Venue and Dates
The proposed venue for the Annual Media Symposium is Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC), in Lilongwe. The two-day event will be held in the last week of November, and this year it will be on 26th and 27th November.
5.0 Who are the Delegates?
Participants to this conference are all industry players, including advertising and media production agencies, media training institutions, advocacy organisations, communications service providers, government information agencies, entrepreneurs, donor agencies, and all other relevant stakeholders both local and international.
6.0 How to Get Involved?
Individuals and organizations/institutions will be invited to prepare abstracts, papers, presentations on topics related to the central theme of the Media Symposium and the sub-themes. Organisations that would like to showcase their communications initiatives and services at the conference should contact us through applications@mediacouncil-mw.org for more information. You may also contact the Programs Manager on +265993449233.
7.0 Proposals and Papers
Interested organisations, individuals and agencies will be required to submit a concept note on what they want to showcase or present, guided by the following:
Should have Times New Roman font, font size of 12 and 1.5-line spacing.
Separate title page with name(s) of author(s) and full contact information. E-mail address is especially important.
Submission by e-mail should be sent not later than 30th October 2023 and should be sent to the MCM Secretariat, E-mail: applications@mediacouncil-mw.org.
8.0 What to Expect During the Symposium?
Speeches, presentations, reports, panel discussions, exhibitions, communication materials, side events, meet-ups and collaborations.
9.0 Call for Support
The Media Symposium will rely on financial support from media stakeholders. If you are interested to support the event, please contact the Media Council of Malawi Secretariat.
Signed:
Moses Kaufa Cell: +265999558052/ +265888877999
Executive Director Email: ed@mediacouncil-mw.org
Media Council of Malawi Website: www.mediacouncil-mw.org
