THE iSPEAK PLATFORM

The urge to censor is hardly new, and the means of censorship are varied and becoming more insidious on the African continent. The Namibia Media Trust has worked for many years to redress many cases of overt and covert censorship, mainly in support of the work of journalists and media houses on the continent.

This platform extends our framing of free expression beyond media freedom. This is a collective space for advocacy on media freedom, artistic freedom, academic freedom, the right to protest, the right to association and, importantly, access to information which is integral to all these rights. Here we’ll interrogate existing narratives on free expression issues from different perspectives; talk about representation and inclusion in and through the media – still a powerful agenda setter with enormous capacity to influence the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us. This platform will host discussions, exhibitions, undertake and present research on topical issues, facilitate calls to action and joint advocacy to advance the right to free expression in all its dimensions in the most inclusive manner possible.

The iSPEAK Platform emerged from the global commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press when the Namibia Media Trust and the Media Institute of Southern Africa developed a special collection of articles, podcasts, and videos on contemporary media issues in Africa. This body of work was presented in a print publication, The African Press.

We are keen to hear from you so contact us and share your proposals for collaboration.

iSPEAK is generously supported by DW Akademie.

DW AkedemieGIZ