The EAST library offers the most pertinent publications on media viability and innovation in East Africa and beyond. Displaying sources of information relating to all five dimensions of media viability and more, it includes both regional and international studies, reports, books and fact-sheets for media practitioners, academics and policy makers alike. Standing on the shoulder of giants – Let’s start a conversation.
We are constantly updating the database. If you have a suggestion message us at info.icmediafutures[at]aku.edu
Stories are all around us. Unfortunately, some stories “disappear” due to a lack of archives. As part of the solution, the DW Akademie Innovation Library is a digital interactive platform for showcasing projects from across Africa, Asia, Middle East and Latin America. These projects – about 40 of them- are using digital technologies to advance freedom of expression and access to information.
Internet access and smartphones have revolutionized the way young Africans consume media. A report based on interviews with experts in Information and Communications Technologies for Development, ICT4D for short, seeks to understand and bridge the digital divide between the young “haves” and “have nots” in Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana.
Starting an independent media outlet is not an easy feat. Innovative ideas and strategies can help overcome many challenges. Media start-up solutions need to fit specific contexts while flexible enough to allow room to learn from other start-ups. Successful media outlets are those run by a few full-time staff, volunteers and freelancers, and supported by grants and other business ventures.
Economic rather than governmental restraints are the most impactful on independent media, that’s according to a survey by 15 pre-eminent African media scholars. The authors gained insight into the most significant challenges facing privately-owned newspapers in sub-Saharan Africa. These include; internet mobile usage, foreign investment, cross-media ownership, among others.
Kenya has been the scene of sweeping technological media innovations, that have often benefited urban and foreign markets. Poorly developed infrastructure and program design have delayed benefits for the broader Kenyan public, majority of whom live in rural areas, where issues of electrification and connectivity still constitute significant challenges to their consumption of news media.
Starting a media company or project can be a daunting task. One requires all the information, including the best and worst practices in the digital news start-ups sector. Regardless of the media environment, it is vital to understand the fundamental factors that lead to a successful or failed start-up.