ZEF will host workshop at Global Media Forum
This year's Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum, taking place from 21 to 23 June 2010 in Bonn, is dedicated to the topic Climate Change and the Media. ZEF will host a workshop which will focus on "Covering Climate Change in West Africa: An exchange between journalists and scientists" on June 22.
The impact of global climate change on West Africa is already noticeable. Although projections differ in detail, they concur in their general assessment of increasing weather extremes (longer droughts, shorter but heavier rainfall periods) and a delay of the rainy season’s onset.
Do West African media outlets report on climate change and its regional impact? If they do, how, to what degree, and which sources are being used? Is reporting on climate change making use of Africa-based and located science, or is referring to the IPCC more en vogue?
How do West African scientists see their work being covered by their own local media? Are their opinions and contributions appreciated? Is there interaction between domestic media and scientists?
The workshop "Covering Climate Change in West Africa: An exchange between journalists and scientists"will address these questions and identify potential gaps and challenges occurring between the world of West African media representatives and their colleagues in the world of science. It will also examine ways to bridge the gaps and tackle the challenges. The focus will be on Ghana.
Moderation: Dirk Asendorpf (Freelance journalist, Germany)
Panelists:
Wilson Agyei Agyare (Senior Lecturer, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana)
Edward Klame Aklade (Mobile Reporter, Voices of Africa, Ghana/The Netherlands)
Ben Ampomah (Executive Secretary, Water Resources Commission, Ghana)
Boadi Boakye-Dankwa (Ghana News Agency, Ghana)
Anna Godfrey (Senior Research Operations Manager, BBC World Service Trust, UK)
Benjamin Kofi Nyarko (Lecturer, Department of Geography and Regional Planning at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana)
Time and location of the workshop:
June 22, 2. - 3.30 p.m.
at the Deutsche Welle in Bonn, Room F/G
Please have a look at the preliminary program and at the Global Media Forum website for registration and participation conditions.
Also have a look at the Deutsche Welle multimedia project "Global Ideas", which highlights the importance of renewable energy for our global environment in a video series of over 50 episodes, showcasing people and projects around the world whose innovative ideas are helping combat global warming.
