The Highway Africa 2007 Conference kicked off yesterday, with an opening discussion on the conference theme: excellence in journalism and journalism as a profession on the African continent.
Chaired by SAFM radio host Jeremy Maggs, the discussion touched on the "established journalist versus citizen journalist debate".
Panellist Robert Kabushenga from New Vision in Uganda said the difference between journalism as a profession and citizen journalism is that credibility is built through training, as well as rules and standards set by either regulators or publications.
"We must remember there is a difference between entertainers and journalists," he said.
According to Kabushenga, the media needs to set standards of excellence, while avoiding restrictive measures. "For example, journalists need to learn the basics of how to write a good story."
Zimbabwe Times managing editor Geoffrey Nyarota added to this, in the question and answer session, saying: "Every journalist is a writer, but not every writer is a journalist."
Kaya FM MD Charlene Deacon said avoiding credibility issues relies on training journalists and entertainers in best practice policies. "We had an incident where a DJ asked the news reader, the journalist, what his opinion was on a particular issue. This kind of issue results in a loss of credibility."
By understanding the difference between an entertainer and a journalist, broadcasters and publications will show leadership that is needed across the world, she added.
"Education is definitely the key," said Eugenie Aw, professor at the University of Cheikh Anta Diop, in Senegal.
Highway Africa runs until 12 September and covers various aspects of ICT in the media, using it as a focus for professionalism and excellence in journalism.
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