By Ali Hassan Idow
Since its establishment in 2011, the East Africa Communication Association (EACA) has grown into a dynamic platform for scholars, researchers, and professionals passionate about media and communication studies in the region. Founded by a group of dedicated media and communication scholars from East Africa, EACA has expanded its reach and influence, drawing members from across the continent and beyond. Over the years, the association has welcomed a diverse membership, including delegates from Germany, South Africa, Norway, West Africa, the United States and many other regions.
Its annual conferences have become a key event, bringing together diverse voices to discuss the challenges and opportunities in media and communication. This year, the conference was held at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with a theme, ‘Africa and the Global Dialogue on Media and Communication.’
Over 300 delegates and professionals from Africa and beyond congregated to discussed the role of African voices in shaping the global media narrative. In her welcoming statement, EACA president, Professor Margaret Jjuuko from the University of Rwanda, observed that “Africa plays a critical role in the global media landscape, and it is essential that we continue to engage, collaborate, and find innovative approaches to enhance our contribution to global conversations.”
Professor Jjuuko stressed the need for continuous dialogue and collaboration among scholars, and media practitioners to ensure that African voices are heard. She encouraged all attendees to ”uphold the principles of truth, transparency, and integrity – ensuring that both our students and the stories we tell reflect the richness and complexity of African experiences”, she said.
EACA President, Professor Margaret Jjuuko during the 14th Annual Conference 2024 at the University of Dar es Salaam
The convener for this year’s conference, Dr. Egbert Mkoko, welcomed all the delegates and underscored that the conference provides a platform for discussing media transformation, viability, sustainability and innovation. He added that, “We expect that your insights will be valuable and transformative to the future of journalism around the globe.”
Dr. Egbert Mkoko, EACA 2024 convener at the University of Dar es Salaam
Throughout the three-day conference, delegates engaged in various sessions, from paper presentations to panel discussions. The topics covered were wide-ranging, reflecting on media and information literacy in the age of artificial intelligence, media innovations and sustainability in the digital era, media, democracy, and elections in Africa, reimagining Public Relations and Marketing, Kiswahili and the future of African languages for communication, the future of journalism in the Global South, climate change, media discourse, representation, and identity among others.
EACA delegates during the 14th Annual Conference 2024 at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
This conference demonstrated the importance of EACA’s mission to improve communication research, policy, and practice in the region. The association remains committed to promoting communication studies as an academic discipline, offering a space where scholars and practitioners meet, and exchange ideas. The annual conferences have rotated between Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda since the association’s inception.
The article was originally published by Ajen newsletter.