Africa's indigenous-language press is focus of new study (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Africa's indigenous-language press is focus of new study
Aug 19, 2004
http://www.ijnet.org/FE_Article/newsarticle.asp?UILang=1&CId=241571&CIdLang=1

African media academics and publishers are invited to submit research
papers on the current status and future potential of the continent's
indigenous-language press.

The University of Lagos project is designed to highlight the history of
indigenous-language newspapers and journals in Africa, beginning with
the earliest known indigenous-language newspaper in Nigeria, Iwe Irohin
Fun Awon Ara Egba ati Yoruba, first published in 1859.

The initiative will also chart possible growth strategies for the
indigenous-language press. They plan to explore the reasons behind the
phenomenal boom in isiZulu newspapers in South Africa over the past two
years.

Abiodun Salawu, a lecturer at the University of Lagos and the project's
coordinator, says scholars have neglected the study of Africa's
indigenous language press despite the fact that language is one of the
most characteristic elements of any culture.

Organizers are looking for papers on the following topics: the history
of specific indigenous language publications in Africa; editorial
content policies and strategies; advertisements, graphics and design;
language styles; use for development communication; readership; and
management. Interested researchers should send abstracts outlining
their proposed papers before submitting any finished work.

For more information, contact Salawu at salawuabiodun at yahoo.com or
telephone (+234-802) 345-1461.