In August 2004, a womens magazine was launched in Mogadishu, Somalia. The magazine, called Marwo, which translates directly into the word women, is the first of its kind in the country.
Three months ago, the Somali Journalists Network launched a special branch exclusively for female journalists. The Women Wing will offer training seminars and workshops on media management and journalism skills.
A recent lawsuit brought against the Kingdom of Swaziland’s only independent newspaper The Times of Swaziland reaffirms that that an absolute monarchy and a free, pluralistic press do not easily mix. RAP 21 in conjunction with the Media Institute of South Africa (MISA) explored the issue with firsthand insights provided from editor of The Times Martin Dlamini.
“While others imitate we originate,” is part of Mr Fred M’membe’s credo that guides him in running the newspaper, The Post in Zambia that he is Editor-in-Chief and founder of. With an intelligent chuckle M’membe relayed this to RAP 21 as he spoke about the ways his paper has developed into becoming the country’s leading newspaper.
In June 2004, Crispin Tulay, editor of The Vanguard newspaper, based in Liberia, travelled to South Africa to participate in a week-long newspaper management course with a select group of editors from the Southern African region.
The newspaper editors were trained in various aspects of newspaper management such as: Leadership Skills, Change, Circulation, Budget, Advertising and Team Management. In the second instalment of a two week series, RAP 21 publishes excerpts from the report that came out of this unique experience.