NU-Q Conference To Unpack Future Of Journalism In Global South

Doha, Qatar: Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) will examine how journalism practices and narratives can evolve and challenge traditional, Western-centric models in its Rawabet series conference,“Journalism in the Global South: Expanding Epistemological Frameworks,” taking place on February 9 and 10, at the university campus in Education City.

“The Rawabet conference Series continues to serve as a platform for meaningful academic discussions that bring regional perspectives to the forefront,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar.“This conference exemplifies our commitment to advancing research excellence and global collaboration on important issues, ensuring that truly global expertise shape the academic discourse surrounding journalism and media in the Global South and beyond.”

Organised by the Journalism and Strategic Communication Programme, the two-day conference will discuss the need for decolonising journalism and rethinking the dominant frameworks that have historically shaped global media. By examining various aspects of journalism in the Global South, experts from diverse backgrounds aim to broaden the scope of journalism scholarship and practice and underscore the importance of inclusive and representative storytelling.

The first panel,“Decolonising Journalism,” will explore the lasting influence of colonial power structures on the professionalisation of journalism. Eddy Borges-Rey, associate professor at Northwestern Qatar, will lead a discussion on how colonial legacies persist in modern journalism and the challenges faced in decolonising news agendas.

Speakers include Claudia Mellado, professor at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Silvio Waisbord, professor at the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, and Ibrahim N. Abusharif, associate professor at Northwestern Qatar.

“This conference, developed collaboratively by all members of the journalism faculty in the programme, provides a valuable opportunity to engage in discussions that challenge conventional epistemologies and deepen our understanding of journalism in diverse global contexts,” said Ilhem Allagui, professor and director of the Journalism and Strategic Communication Programme.

“The theme, 'Expanding Epistemological Frameworks,' is particularly relevant as we consider how journalism must adapt to the realities and complexities of the Global South.”

The second panel,“Feminist Journalism and Entrepreneurship across the Global South,” will feature a discussion on the rise of feminist media entrepreneurship, where women are reshaping the media landscape.

The third panel,“Social Media Influencers and Self-Media,” will examine how social media influencers and self-media platforms are shaping journalism in the digital age.

The fourth panel,“Frontiers of Journalism Education: Ethical Integration of AI in Global Contexts,” will address the impact of Artificial Intelligence on journalism education, particularly in the Global South.

The fifth panel,“Expanding the Ontological Contours of Journalism,” will explore how journalism is practiced in the Global South, expanding beyond the Western notion of the Fourth Estate. In the final panel,“Influential Interlocutors: Stringers, Freelancers, and Non-Profits,” speakers will discuss the strategies used by independent journalists and nonprofit organizations to engage and sustain their audiences.

On the second day of the conference, award-winning photojournalist Motaz Azaiza will headline a Distinguished Speaker Session from 2 to 3pm in the Auditorium. Known for his powerful frontline reporting, Azaiza will share insights into the evolving role of visual storytelling in conflict zones and the responsibilities journalists bear in documenting global crises.

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