During the six week London programme and the follow-up in Addis, we seek to facilitate an opportunity for Fellows to step-back from the hectic pace of regular reporting and reflect on the issues they write about as well as widen their network of contacts and organisations. By offering regular lectures and seminars by experts we hope to build a greater understanding of economics and politics and provoke critical thinking about commonly discussed development issues. However, at the same time we expect Fellows to learn equally as much from eachother as from the structured programme itself. The themes and threads throughout the programme will include questions related to the media in transitions as well as broader, global questions. Fellows are expected to share their perspectives and experiences with the broader LSE and Stanhope community.

Global and media themes

There are several broad core issues and questions we will seek to explore during the programme which will be done through lectures, seminars and presentations. The programme addresses questions of international economics, conflict, HIV/AIDS, gender, global warming, and evolving institutions such as the African Union and NEPAD. For example, we will also be probing to gain a better understanding of broad issues such as the following: Is state building in a new phase? Can journalists describe their country’s ‘national vision’, does it even have one? Who defines it- big men, a dominant group, a democratic process? What is identity politics about in each of the countries and what role does the media play in perpetuating or overcoming the ‘evils of factionalism’? Are there different views on globalisation- where does one see their country in the global context? How does one see south-south relations? How important for Africa has been the rapid integration of India and China in the global economy how can complex international economic factors affecting Africa be better informed and explained to African audiences? How does one investigate and analyze the facts and prospects for the East African and other regional economic communities? How significant is the rhetoric of African peer review and more performance driven development funding under the African Action Plan agreed to by African leaders and the G8? What is likely to become of Nepad and how should it be reported? How significant is Blair/Brown plan to raise major new development funds for Africa?

The Fellowship thus offers a chance to consider these issues, while always reflecting back on how journalists, whether in the print or other media, relate to and report on them.

The Fellowship will also allow all participants, both the Fellows themselves and those providing inputs, to explore important ethical and political questions related to journalism and the media, such as journalistic integrity, independence and the capacity of the media to influence political process. Recognising that media and research are not neutral bodies we pose questions such as: What keeps journalists going and what opportunities do you see? What obstacles do journalists face? What opportunities do journalists see? How impartial is it possible to be? Is lack of information an obstacle? Could stronger networks make for greater risk-taking? What is responsible media when one is exposed to bribes, threats, and the need to keep ones job? When is one compromised, vulnerable to violate ones own values? With technology connecting journalists in real-time, how do journalists see their role?