The Nigerian Youth in Population Pyramid

From the 2011 population pyramid by the National Population Commission and World Bank Growth, young Nigerians between age 20 to 40 make up 47% of the nation’s population, which provides a window of opportunity for high growth and poverty reduction – the demographic dividend – representing a huge potential resource to Nigeria given the critical role of the youths in strengthening the nation’s economy. Source : EiE

Breakout Session 1.5: Digital Natives: The New Media Generation

Watch the video of our session:

Young people, who constitute the majority of the population in many countries, are fueling media innovation. How do young people get and share their news in the digital age? Will growing up digitally change the way a new generation engages in the public debate?

Moderator: Jason Rzepka, Vice President, Public Affairs, MTV Networks, United States

Shiv Bhaskar Dravid, Founder, The Viewspaper, India

Emin Milli, Founder, Alumni Network Youth Group, Azerbaijan (via Skype)

Adnan Hajizada, Founder, OL! Azerbaijani Youth Movement, Azerbaijan (via Skype)

Jennifer Ehidiamen, journalist, Celebrating Progress Africa and the Global Press Institute, Nigeria

Maria Sadovskaya, Journalist, European Radio for Belarus, Belarus


Breakout Session 1.5: Digital Natives: The New Media Generation from World Press Freedom Day 2011 on Vimeo.

"Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great…"

When Oyetola applied to attend one of the numerous capacity building conferences in London last week, it was done out of an attempt to escape from the depressing circumstances around him. I have known Oyetola for many years now. He is one of the few people I try to avoid as much as I can because each time he strikes up a conversation with me, it is always themed around how he can relocate out of Nigeria.

Yesterday, he alerted me online to announce that he was in London. Apparently, he was selected by an international organization to represent Nigeria at a conference in London. As he later recounted “I just applied for the conference and I got in…” I paused for a few minutes; confident that his next line will be to tell me he was using the opportunity to abscond, after all, being away from the shores of Nigeria is something he has always wanted. But was I disappointed! “I took part (in the program) and I was inspired. Now I know it is better for me to return home, because there are a lot of things I could do there… Trust me, I will be home in about two weeks…”

“It would take a whole generation to change Nigeria because it took a generation to destroy it.” Oyetola said, reflecting on how the program impacted his perspective about the current socio-political landscape in Nigeria. “Whose generation then?” I asked. “Our generation. But it has to be a collective effort…to effect a total revolution” he said. I paused to mull over his words. I didn’t hide the excitement about his sudden change. It is the kind of excitement you feel when you see your best friend give up on doing drugs.

No longer is Oyetola obsessed with the idea that real life begins outside the shores of the continent. Although he admits life in the continent is stressful, he said for the first time he realized that to make a good life for himself, he would also need to contribute to Nation building. If it took a week conference for the young man to experience such a paradigm shift, I am beginning to put aside my beef against youths who are always excited about attending conferences after conferences instead of committing their time and resources to doing hands-on development work.

The condition in Nigeria today damages the self-esteem and aspirations of many youths. Oyetola compared it with walking on the street of London aimlessly without a sense of direction. Nigeria has so many resources and potential, yet it is out of the grasp of the average Nigerian youth. Nigeria really puts her youth’s backs against the wall with the level of hardship and strife it inflicts on her youths. It is really difficult to be optimistic and hopeful in such an environment.

But like Oyetola, many of us need a re-awakening experience to enable us re-channel our energy, passion and commitment to nation building. If we want to see our country liberated from every form of oppression, then we must choose to be that generation that rise up to greatness- by taking up responsibility, shunning corruption, being accountable and keeping our integrity etc.

When Nelson Mandela, the former South African President, addressed the crowd at Trafalgar Square in London’s Make Poverty History Campaign, He said: “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom. Of course the task will not be easy. But not to do this would be a crime against humanity, against which I ask all humanity now to rise up.” That was five years ago. But his words resonate to youths today, in Nigeria and everywhere.

“Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great…” We, the present youths of Nigeria, are that generation…

[Image via Nubian Graphics]

Rant and Rave!

No doubt, a lot is happening in the blogosphere and other online networks these days. Most young people who have issues take it online- to public portals. Others make their contributions and most times, the issues are “thrashed,” but not until its rippling effect is moved on to other social networks. Like a wide fire, news spread from one forum to the other with little or no efforts from the source. A good example? Well, let us not start on that. But a quick visit to Nairaland, Facebook, Nigerian Village square, Twitter , News portal such as 234Next.com, TheNationonlineng.net, and the rest of them will give you an idea…

 

Some Nigerians moved from being subservient into active commentators. We are in an era where our voice counts. Someone say the campaign “Enough is Enough” played a pivotal role in setting us free from the shackles of timidity in the face of injustice. More than ever before, the anger bottled up over time due to a repressive regime is being “unbottled” and most turn to online platforms, like it were a townhall meeting. Everyone has an opinion about everything.

 

However, I share the views of Dr. Aliyu Tilde who although also celebrates the fact that we are using our voices and becoming more active in fostering a positive social reform, frowns at how the liberated culture of freedom of expression is making some of us irresponsible. Individuals on public forums post so many unprintable comments. In an attempt to share or express an opinion about an issue, do we have to be so uncontrollably abusive?

 

Tilde, an avid blogger on www.fridaydiscourse.blogspot.com said Nigerians abuse their freedom of expression so much by the way they post abusive comments on social networks sites. “There is no other country where you will find such.” I concur. There needs to be a balance in freedom of expression to foster a responsible medium of communication.

 

In order to avoid falling prey to the urge to rant and rave without decorum on social network sites, let us embrace a culture of leaving comments when needed but as if speaking/giving such feedback in public. In a nutshell, only post comments in public forums as if you were saying it in public, even if you were posting anonymously.

 

We can learn together. What are better ways to make a point without being so verbally abusive? Hauling insults on personalities, especially public office holders will not bring the positive change we seek. It will only breed more anger and irritation.

Application extended for 2011 G-20Y SUMMIT

IMPACT HOUSE: We are pleased to announce the Second edition of the G-20Y Summit with special focus in one Summit Committee on Africa which will be held in November 2011 in Paris, France.

The 2011 - G20Y Summit with the participation of Africa Young Business Leaders is an Innovative Strategy and Progressive Thinking for Africa's business and financial regeneration; the Dialogue will explore the range of new ideas and initiatives being implemented in support of Africa?s socioeconomic growth, and consider the next steps to locate the next Business and Financial Generation of Africa in the economic emancipation of the continent.

We encourage young Business leaders, Entrepreneur, Economists, and Policy makers from African countries to apply.

How to become a participant from Africa

The G-20 Y Summit International Organizing Committee is looking for participants from the African countries aged from 25 to 45 years old fulfilling the upcoming criteria

• Have a proven track record of achievement in the financial sector or business environment
• Be owner of a company or holding of companies.- Hold a position in a company at least equivalent to CEO, CFO, or any position relevant to Executive Management at a Senior Level.
• Be active member, leading mind of your community.
• Share the values and commitments of the G20 Y Summit organization.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM DOWNLOAD PARTNERSHIP/SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES DOWNLOAD DRAFT AGENDA

Completed application should be sent with résumé and two referrals to africa@g20ys.org. Contact Ayodele Taofiq-Fanida, the Businessman Assembly member in charge of African issues on+2348098746523, or +2348026221289 Source: http://imhouse.org/event.htm

Zero Percent Idle

Most young people who grew up with the 21st century technology and understands the value in using it to seek out opportunities with a view to make impact is often referred to as digital natives.


Technology has changed the way we live- some are more bizarre than others. But Tech age and the emergence of a generation that know nothing else but a digital life should not stifle what is good about life. Technology comes with the good of making things easier but the down side of it is that we fall into the trap of multi-tasking and joggling so many things. Like we have on the computer, we live life opening many windows simultaneously and shuffling between the pages. This justifies that argument about technology almost turning us into robots. Our gadgets must not enslave us.


In “Who are the digital natives? And What do they want?” Tim Windsor on “Zero Percent Idle,” effortlessly described how this generation is different from the older generation. According to him, there are “…8 differentiating characteristics of the Net Generation Norms. Each norm is a cluster of attitudes and behaviors that define the generation. These norms are central to understanding how this generation is changing work, markets, learning, the family, and society.”


The characteristics include us wanting freedom in everything we do, from freedom of choice to freedom of expression; the love to customize everything, from desktop to t-shirts :); we are good scrutinizers and expect transparency; we look for corporate integrity and openness when deciding what to buy and where to work; we want entertainment and play in our work, education, and social life; we are the collaboration and relationship generation; we have a need for speed- rapid communication, instant messages etc; we are innovative in nature and thus seek innovative companies as employers and constantly looking for innovative ways to collaborate, entertain, learn, and work.


In the 2011 Nigeria Elections, technology played an interesting role. Young people, the digital natives, maximized the different social networking sites to monitor and share experiences about the elections in their community. We had websites such as www.nigeriaelections.org monitoring and reporting on election trends. And we also saw the launch of ReVoDa, an application that “seeks to potentially turn the 87,297,789 Nigerians with mobile phones, 43,982,200 with internet access into informal election observers.” Revoda made it possible for voters “to report from their respective polling units across Nigeria, after registration.” It worked. Many young Nigerians used it accordingly. For more info visithttp://revoda.org.ng


Indeed, it is difficult to find anyone idle these days. Even those that do not have personal computers now use mobile phones to access the Internet. This is an information age; we cannot allow ourselves to remain in obscurity, or remain a "siddon dey look" generation.

NEW INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY: HAULAGE SERVICE IN WEST AFRICA

“..Africa now; the investment haven of the World” Babatunde Fashola, SAN Executive Governor, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Undoubtedly, Africa is now the World’s investment haven for only the insightful capitalists. All the problems currently plaguing the globe could find their solutions on the continent. Many of the resources that the World needs and which sustain humanity abound on the continent.

More than ever before, the solution to global challenges lies in Africa than many other regions. Even the Asians, towards whose region most of the World looks for solution, are now investing in the continent.

From irresistible great business ideas ranging from Agriculture, Human resources, Technology, Manufacturing to Infrastructure, ImpactHouse International makes browsing of rich business ideas easy for interested investors. We give professional advice, carry out feasibility studies, formulate winning strategies and utilize relative performance measurement systems to guarantee a sustainable pedestal for you in the Africa’s emerging economy.

Recently, ImpactHouse International introduced “INVEST IN AFRICA” project, 

which is designed to create a platform for Nigerians 

(especially those in Diaspora) to SAVE and INVEST in Africa.

Over the years, Africans in Diaspora who are interested in investment in Africa are constantly faced with three key issues among others, namely;

·      Integrity on the part of managers of resources

·      Credibility/expertise on the part of their business managers

·      Inadequate information on what potential businesses to invest in.

This project will facilitate local account opening for potential investors with domiciliary options (USD-NAIRA, GBP-NAIRA or EURO-NAIRA) and would offer intermittent updates of investment opportunities in Africa. To ensure secured financial transactions, our banking partner - First City Monument Bank (FCMB) shall be responsible for opening and maintenance of the account, and issuance of introduction letters on partnering firms to potential investors.

This project will enable investors to be rest assured that they are not dealing with faceless people as they will be properly recognised by the bank. This will also guarantee safety of their resources as they will have access to and receive automated notifications of transactions on their accounts through their international mobile line and email irrespective of their location.

Our client, a specialized cargo and Haulage Company got a contract to handle the freight distribution for two new major multinationals on the West African coast.

In order to meet these growing demands of providing just-in-time delivery services, we invite individuals interested in this low risk and stress-free investment opportunity to procure TRUCKS (specifications apply) for our client, towards meeting the huge demands.

For more information, expression of interest and Return On Investment enquiry, kindly contact:

Ms Ifeoma Jane Adibe Business Development Executive ImpactHouse International

+234 806 2920 147 business@IMhouse.org

Mr Femi Aderibigbe Executive Director ImpactHouse International

+234 803 4241 889 or +234 802 6221 289 ideafactory@IMhouse.org

website: www.IMhouse.org

21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers #WPFD

First published in The Nation Newspaper, May 8th 2011 (Sunday edition) 

Dr. Aliyu Tilde is an avid blogger. He started his blog “Discourse with Tilde” on the url www.fridaydiscourse.blogspot.com in July 2009. Before then, Tilde was a regular contributor to local Newspapers. However, he said the idea to start up a blog came up after the traditional media suppressed most of his articles. Today, with over 150 followers, Tilde like many journalists and writers are consistently using the New Media as a platform of expression.

Although a strong advocate for freedom of expression, Tilde said Nigerians abuse their freedom of expression so much by the way they post abusive comments on social networks sites. “There is no other country where you will find such.” He said. There needs to be a balance in freedom of expression to foster a responsible medium of communication.

Tilde, from Bauchi State, was among 800 journalists, new media innovators, policymakers, and free expression advocates from around the world who attended the just concluded conference in Washington, DC to mark World Press Freedom Day 2011.  The three days event, which kicked off on May 1st, focused mainly on exploring the new media, its opportunities and challenges, as a form of expression.

Among the speakers was Nigeria’s Omoleye Sowore, the founder of Saharareporters.com who was recently awarded about $450,000 grant by Omidyar Network- a foundation committed to supporting media organizations. Sowore, while speaking on “Censorship without borders,” shared his experience about how journalists are exposed to threats and intimidation. He described the censorship of New Media by individuals, politicians and government as “a whole process of bullying and intimidation.” He affirmed that the new media has come to stay,  “nothing can stop an idea whose time has come.” He also urged all journalists to fight until the system (and techniques of censorship) is brought to its knees.

Other focus of the conference explored Business models for a changing media; Reporters, sources, and information in a digital age; Media Law and regulations etc. Noting the powers of new media, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called upon all of us, “to stand up for those who speak out in perilous circumstances as they pursue, record, and report the truth.”

Youth Leaders at the World Press Freedom Day

Highlighting opportunities and challenges of digital media for freedom of expression, on May 2^nd, five youth leaders invited as speakers shared their experiences of using the new media as a platform of information dissemination.

Joining the conference via Skype, Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizada from Azerbaijan shared their experience of spending 17 months in jail for posting a video on Youtube.com, an online network, which criticized the government for spending huge budget importing donkeys from Germany. Hajizada, during his presentation, noted that there was no censorship of online media in his country, but the government was prosecuting people who used it as a form of activism.

Meanwhile, all the young speakers, including Shiv Bhaskar Dravid founder of The Viewspaper and Maria Sadovskaya, of European Radio for Belarus noted that young people who make up the majority of the population in most developing countries are taking the lead in using the new media as a platform for self-expression. For Dravid, the huge disconnect between older generation and the youth led him to start The Viewspaper, which is described as “the voice of the youth” in India.

Sadovskaya, of European Radio for Belarus noted that “young people are the least targeted group of population by the independent media and, at the same time, the most targeted by authorities…The government has introduced the state ideology courses in schools, universities and even kindergartens. They are trying to brainwash young people to make sure when they are grown up they are either loyal or at least indifferent.”

Young people are beginning to realize that nothing will change by being subservient and mum in the face of injustice and corruption. Young people are embracing the digital media to raise their voices and mobilizing support locally for positive social impact.

Taking it Global from Washington DC

Participants at the event took part in a global online conversation on press freedom, with tweets marked with the #WPFD and #PressFreedom hash tags taking on a particular relevance. News reports on World Press Freedom Day have focused on the unveiling of the Freedom House Freedom of the Press 2011 Map Report and the Committee to Protect Journalists most recent report, which explores the new tools governments worldwide, are developing to censor reporters.

News of the death of Osama bin Laden was reported as the conference was taking place, commanding the attention of attendees and shining a spotlight on the significance of freedom of information in a world of 24-hour news cycles.  Conversations around these current events helped to emphasize the importance of strong U.S.-UNESCO cooperation and the value of advancing the global conversation on common educational goals and cultural values, including freedom of the press. The point was particularly significant given the history of U.S. participation in UNESCO. The U.S. rejoined UNESCO after a nearly 20-year absence in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

As World Press Freedom Day drew to a close, Janis Karklins, UNESCO Assistant Director-General, Communication and Information and Maria Otero, U.S. Department of State Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, both spoke to the success of this year’s events.

2011 UNESCO Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize Laureate

The conference culminated in a ceremony honouring this year’s 2011 UNESCO Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize laureate Iranian journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi at the National Press Club. The award was presented in abstentia, as Mr. Zeidabadi is currently imprisoned in Iran.

In Mr. Zeidabadi’s statement he said, “…I would like to make it clear that in the performance of my profession, I had no means but my pen and my speech and that in using those means, I never went beyond the narrow and limited confines of the Iranian government's laws and regulations. But, in violation of their own laws and regulations, they have imposed pain and suffering beyond my endurance -- pain and suffering resembling those of a person who is crucified for weeks or buried alive. While in prison, I constantly strive to forgive, but I cannot forget. Finally, in accepting this Prize which is in reality a recognition of all prisoners of opinion in my country and my imprisoned or exiled colleagues, I dedicate it to my family and in particular to my wife and children.”

 The largest conference in 20 years

The World Press Freedom Day Executive Committee, which led the effort to plan the commemorative events, thanked everyone who participated in the historic proceedings, both in person and online. The conference was the largest in the nearly 20-year history of commemorations of World Press Freedom Day, as established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This year was also the first time the proceedings took place in the United States, underscoring the U.S. and civil society’s commitment to keeping press freedom at the forefront of the national and global agendas. The international conference culminated with a closing ceremony honoring jailed Iranian journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi with the UNESCO Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize laureate, for 2011.

The World Press Freedom Day Executive Steering Committee, including the Center for International Media Assistance at the National Endowment for Democracy, IREX, and the United Nations Foundation, worked with more than 20 other non-governmental organizations advocating for press freedom, and collaborated with UNESCO and the U.S. Department of State to organize World Press Freedom Day 2011.

World Press Freedom Day events in Washington, DC are part of a worldwide celebration, with commemorations from Tunisia to Jakarta and Windhoek to San Jose. More than 20 donors from philanthropies, technology companies, and media organizations generously sponsored this year’s events. Tomorrow, May 4, UNESCO will host a commemoration of World Press Freedom Day at the United Nations headquarters in New York with Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General, Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General, Alaa Abd El Fattah, editor, “Manalaa,” Egypt, and Gwen Lister, editor of The Namibian.

  

 To see Pictures of the event, click here

About World Press Freedom Day


World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every year on May 3 worldwide. The United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) organizes World Press Freedom Day commemorations to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. In December 1993, the UN General Assembly proclaimed May 3 as World Press Freedom Day. Since then, it has been celebrated each year on May 3, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of free press principles as put together by newspaper journalists in Africa during a UNESCO seminar on “Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press” in Windhoek, Namibia in 1991. The declaration calls for free, independent, pluralistic media worldwide characterizing free press as essential to democracy and a fundamental human right.

World Press Freedom Day 2011


This year’s World Press Freedom Day conference will take place May 1-3 at the Newseum and National Press Club in Washington DC. It will feature innovative journalists, donors, and researchers who focus on digital media and the new opportunities—and threats—to freedom of expression that lie in the use of new technologies and social networks. The conference is organized jointly by UNESCO, the U.S. Department of State, the Center for International Media Assistance at the National Endowment for Democracy, IREX, and the United Nations Foundation.

More

For a variety of views related to World Press Freedom Day, including live reporting from the conference in Washington, DC by Georgetown University journalism students, see http://wpfd2011.org/blog

To access streaming and recorded video sessions from the Washington, DC conference, see http://wpfd2011.org/agenda

Poetry Reading with Atlas Corps volunteers in Washington

As an Atlas Corps alumna, I had an opportunity to meet up with some fellows during an Atlas event and read a poem from "Preserve my Saltiness." This was a day after World Press Freedom Day 2011 :)

Youth Consumption of the New Media

There is something really inspiring about how this generation is embracing the New Media to liberate themselves and others from ignorance and injustice. Listening to Shiv Bhaskar Dravid founder of The Viewspaper and Maria Sadovskaya, of European Radio for Belarus speak during the youth session of WPFD 2011, and seeing how committed everyone were, including Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizada in Azerbaijan who shared their views via Skype towards maximizing the platform, it reaffirmed the fact that the new media despite its many limitations has more potential in fostering a free and progressive society than other platform!

The experience has totally boosted my commitment to ensuring that young people in my sphere of influence have as much access to information as possible. After all, an informed generation is an empowered generation.

In the part of the world where I grew up, the norm is for young people to be relegated to the background. Until now, we did not realize how powerful our voices are and how by using it positively, we can actually influence decision makers to create positive change. The New Media is here, and its rippling effect is what we are witnessing every where- from Egypt to Tunisia etc.

Young people are beginning to realized nothing will change by being subservient and mum in the face of injustice and corruption. Young people are embracing the digital media to raise their voices and mobilizing support locally for positive social impact- The Enough is Enough campaign in Nigeria is an example of this.

We must not take our freedom of expression for granted. We must not be afraid to use our voice, wisely for the good of our society/mankind!

In case you missed it, read a quick summary of the session here

To view my power-point presentation on "Digital Natives: The New Media Generation", click here

WATCH VIDEO

Maria Otero speaks on Washington Declaration, Internet Censorship 

Ahmad Zeidabadi Wins the 2011 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize #WPFD

Over 500 Journalists from around the world converged in Washington D.C. to participate in the World Press Freedom Day 2011 conference themed “21^st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers.”

The 3 days event which took place at the Newseum (May 1^st and 2^nd) and The National Press Club DC (May 3^rd) focused on exploring different topics around the Digital Media, Censorship, Media laws, etc. The event also included the adoption of the Washington Declaration to foster Press Freedom around the world.

This year, an independent jury selected Ahmad Zeidabadi as the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize winner. However, the Iranian Journalist was absent during the ceremony because he was imprisoned, as published in WP- Zeidabadi is serving a six-year term after being arrested in June of 2009 for violating a government order banning him from “all public and social activity, including journalism,” and allegedly plotting to overthrow the Iranian government with a “soft revolution.”

His Statement in response to being awarded:

I would like to greet the honourable Director General of UNESCO, as well as the members of the Prize Jury for their efforts and for the honour they have bestowed upon me with the award of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

I feel sad and apologetic for not being able to draft a message worthy of the occasion and your gathering. As you may be aware, the Revolutionary Court in addition to sentencing me to six years’ imprisonment, five years of exile and a lifetime ban on political, social and journalistic activity has also banned me forever from any writing and speaking. Therefore, any message by me would add to my suffering and that of my family.

Despite that restriction, I would like to make it clear that in the performance of my profession, I had no means but my pen and my speech and that in using those means, I never went beyond the narrow and limited confines of the Iranian government’s laws and regulations. But, in violation of their own laws and regulations, they have imposed pain and suffering beyond my endurance — pain and suffering resembling those of a person who is crucified for weeks or buried alive.

While in prison, I constantly strive to forgive, but I cannot forget.

Finally, in accepting this Prize which is in reality a recognition of all prisoners of opinion in my country and my imprisoned or exiled colleagues, I dedicate it to my family and in particular to my wife and children. In addition to the psychological pains of these two years, they have for the past ten years had to live with the dread of an expected “knock on the door.” With every unexpected knock on the door, their fragile and innocent hearts were agitated.

I also dedicate this Prize to the mother of Sohrab Arabi* and all other heartbroken mothers whose sons never returned home. I dedicate it to all tearful mothers, sisters, daughters and the children who live with the pain of having their loved ones in prison.

For remembering us, God will remember and reward you.”

(Statement first posted on UNESCO.org).

For daily highlights of the event, please visit http://www.wpfd2011.org/blog

Photo Speak: World Press Freedom Day 2011

World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2011- May 1st to 3rd Washington DC, brought together about 500 journalists from all over the world to participate in the conference themed "21^st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers."

Here is a photo report of some of the sessions-

For more report please visit WPFD's website



Day 1 and 2: World Press Freedom Day was held at Newseum, Washington DC
Day 3 of World Press Freedom Day was held at The National Press Club

Journalists arriving at Newseum Washington D.C

Censorship without Borders- Moderator: Dainius Radzevicius, Panelists: Clothilde Le Coz, Drew Sullivan, John Kamfner, Omoyele Sowore, Danny O'brien

Tweet Live!

Timothy E. Wirth, United Nations Foundation; Irina Bokova, UNESCO; David Drummond, Google

Timothy E. Wirth, United Nations Foundation; Irina Bokova, UNESCO; David Drummond, Google

New Frontiers: Transforming Media in the 21st Century

Jen (my humble self!), David Kobia co-founder Ushahidi; Chinyelu Odunze, student America University

Omoyele Sowore, founder SaharaReporters.com and I

Representing youths live- Chinyelu, Adesuwa and Jen

World Press Freedom Prize sponsors

Youth leaders speaker on "Digital Natives: New Media Generation"

Ahmad Zeidabadi 2011 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize winner

Irina Bokova, Director-General UNESCO

Youth Leaders Discuss the Digital Generation and Social Change #WPFD

I saw this interesting blogpost on WPFD's website and thought to share:

published by Georgetown Univ... on Mon, 05/02/2011 - 13:31

 

Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizada spent 17 months in jail for posting a YouTube video.
As the leaders of a popular youth movement in Azerbaijan, the two gained fame for posting a video online, which criticized the government for spending significant amounts of money importing donkeys from Germany.
Joining a discussion of youth media tactics Monday at the World Press Freedom Day Conference by Skype, the two argued that censorship in their Eastern European country happens mostly off-line.
“There's no actual censorship online in Azerbijian,” Hajizada said, “However, people who are active online are being persecuted in real life.”
They joined other youth journalism leaders, Shiv Bhaskar Dravid founder of The Viewspaper; Jennifer Ehidiamen, a Nigerian Journalist for Celebrating Progress Africa, and the Global Press Institute,; and Maria Sadovskaya, of European Radio for Belarus.
Panelists noted that young people make up a majority in countries such as Nigeria and India, while Facebook is the most popular website in Belarus. They argued this gives them unprecedented political influence in those countries.
“My role [as a journalist] is to create content that will inspire young people,” Ehidiamen said, adding that in the past, Nigerian youths were to be “seen and not heard,” but the access to social media has given them a voice that can influence government.
As a young person, Dravid said he experienced, “a huge disconnect between older generations and us,” leading him to start The Viewspaper, which describes itself as “the voice of the youth.”
Sadovskaya said it is exactly this demographic that European Radio for Belarus is trying to engage because she thinks they are underrepresented by traditional media.
“Young people [are] the least targeted group of population by the independent media and, at the same time, the most targeted by authorities," she said. "The government has introduced the state ideology courses in schools, universities and even kindergartens. They are trying to brainwash young people to make sure when they are grown up they are either loyal or at least indifferent.”
By Allison Brennan, Georgetown University Student Press Team
(Additional reporting by Annie McBride)

Panel for Breakout Session 1.5 "Digital Natives: The New Media Generation."  On Screen: Adnan Hajizada, Emin Milli; L to R, Maria Sadovskaya, Jason Rzepka, Shiv Bhaskar Dravid and Jennifer Ehidiamen. 
Photo by: Allison Brennan

Shiv Bhaskar Dravid of The Viewspaper takes the podium during the panel discussion.
Photo by: Ayesha Venkataraman

Digital Natives: The New Media Generation

What does the New media mean to an average Nigerian youth?

We saw the way young people actively participated in the last election as informal observers, using their smart phones to tweet and re-tweet reports about the Election process in their communities. You can read full article about it here. Young people in Nigeria are also becoming proactive about social issues and are taking part in different movement aimed at creating a positive social reform. These movements have a huge presence on different social Networks! It is no surprise that the thenextweb.com published an article about how FACEBOOK is the most visited website in African countries, (with about 3.7million Nigerians registered on the platform). From a user perspective, I can testify to that :) Facebook, Twitter and other social network sites have become an important part of the life of an average youth- everywhere. Thanks to mobile internet/Smart phones, everyone is just a click away!

One of the most fascinating things about the New Media is how it has empowered most people to have a voice! For example, most young people who would normally be passive about issues are fast becoming "opinion leaders" on different networking sites. The voiceless are finding their voices through Twitter, Facebook, Blogs etc. No longer will young people allow themselves to just be seen and not be heard. Everyone has a voice now and they are using it. I am so excited about it! Lets worry about the other challenges this might bring later, or maybe "not too later-ish"!

Today- yeah in a couple of hours, at this year's World Press Freedom Day, on the theme of "Digital Natives: The New Media Generation," I will be speaking and sharing my perspective on the youth consumption of the New Media, its challenges and opportunities.

You can watch the livestream of the event on http://www.wpfd2011.org/

Here is a glimpse of the session and speakers:


Digital Natives: The New Media Generation

Young people, who constitute the majority of the population in many countries, are fueling media innovation. How do young people get and share their news in the digital age? Will growing up digitally change the way a new generation engages in the public debate?

• Moderator: Jason Rzepka, Vice President, Public Affairs, MTV Networks, United States
• Shiv Bhaskar Dravid, Founder, The Viewspaper, India
• Emin Milli, Founder, Alumni Network Youth Group, Azerbaijan (via Skype)
• Adnan Hajizada, Founder, OL! Azerbaijani Youth Movement, Azerbaijan (via Skype)
• Jennifer Ehidiamen, journalist, Celebrating Progress Africa and the Global Press Institute, Nigeria
• Maria Sadovskaya, Journalist, European Radio for Belarus, Belarus

Live streaming of this session available at: Livestream, Mashable and Facebook