Theme: Literature synthesis, gaps in the field, media analysis and media diplomacy
Day 1: Exploration of China-Africa scholarly literature
Date: 6:00-8:00pm, Dec.18th (Thu)
Day 2: Chinese media diplomacy in Africa: analysis of CCTV Africa
Date: 2:00-4:00 pm, Dec.19 th(Fri)
Speaker: Bob Wekesa
PhD Candidate, Institute of Communication Studies, Communication University of China; Research Fellow, African Communication Research Centre and Research Associate, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Venue:Meeting Room, 1st floor, No.42 Bldg
Chair: Prof. Zhang Yanqiu, Director of Africa Communication Research Centre
Description:
This two-day workshop seeks to discuss contemporary issues in China-Africa Communications with an emphasis on media dynamics drawing in theoretical and methodological considerations.
The workshop is divided into two sessions each taking two hours. The objective is to sensitize participants toward current and potential future research issues, questions and methods in the fledgling China-Africa communications field. The workshop will draw on seven of the presenter’s published academic work and draw on research output on the topic numbering well over 20 academic research papers.
Day 1: Exploration of China-Africa scholarly literature
The first hour of this session will essentially be a lecture on literature by China-Africa communication experts summarized into the following themes: 1) Historical trajectories and contemporary dynamics 2) public diplomacy, soft power and media assistance 3) representations and perceptions 4) media systems and ideology 5) commercialization, market forces and the state. The lecture will be based on the presenter’s forthcoming discussion paper exploring themes from more than 15 academic papers.
The second hour will open up debate on the lecture issues with a view to understanding gaps in the field and discussing potential further research questions and areas. Participants are encouraged to engage the presenter as much as possible.
Day 2: Chinese media diplomacy in Africa: analysis of CCTV Africa
The first hour of this session will be based on the presenter’s ongoing doctoral work. It will focus on the meeting point between Chinese media and Chinese diplomacy in Africa. It will also discuss responses to Chinese media by African media. Part of the lecture will be dedicated to theoretical and methodological issues in studying Chinese media in Africa.
The second hour will be a lecture on CCTV Africa’s launch and practice over the past three years. It will focus on responses to CCTV’s launch by global media, the strategies that CCTV Africa has employed and distinction between CCTV Africa and other state-run Chinese media.