The EAC Secretariat together with the East African Business Council (EABC) and CEOs of Media Houses are finalizing preparations for the 7th EAC-EABC Media Summit, which is to be held from 14 to 15 May 2015, at the Hyatt Kilimanjaro Hotel Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The 7th EAC-EABC Media Summit will bring together over 250 Media owners, CEOs, Publishers, Editors, prominent Media personalities and practitioners on a round table discussions under the theme: The Role of the Media in Deeping Democracy in the Region, with sub-themes on Democracy in the EAC: Achievements and Challenges; The Role of Media in Electoral Processes, and Regional Security, Business Environment and Media: Towards a Common Goal.
"We see the Summit as a vehicle to increase the visibility of EAC's flagship in the integration process and EAC-EABC joint activities through the media is commendable," comments Mr. Kajubi Mukajanga, Chair of the Regional Preparatory Committee of the 7th Media Summit and also the Executive Secretary of Media Council of Tanzania (MCT). "This will also be a time to network with and update the Media industry on the latest developments in the East African regional integration process," he said.
The Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the EAC Headquarters Owora Richard Othieno notes that the Media Summit is designed to, among others; advance the relationship between the EAC/EABC and the media, who have long been recognized as strategic partners for the Community in achieving its key objective of deepening and widening regional integration and development process.
Launching the EAC Media Scholarship Fund sponsored by EAC-KfW-AKU, and announcing and recognizing Winners of the EAC Media Award Competition 2013/14 are expected at the Media Summit over a Gala Dinner.
The East Africa Media Awards were originally launched during the 3rd Media Summit in Kampala, Uganda in 2009. The first Awards ceremony was held during the 4th Summit in Nairobi, Kenya in 2011. This Media Awards are currently in the fourth year running. The judging process for 2013/14 concluded on 26th February, 2015. Twenty three winners have been identified for the Awards in different categories.
Presentation on the first-ever EAC Media Caravan and a Field Visit to one of the upcoming local media houses in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is set for the second day of the Summit. The Media Caravan is an EAC-GiZ initiative which will engage regional journalists on a road trip to each Partner State to independently report on the achievements of the Common Market Protocol since its launch in 2010.
SOURCE East African Community Secretariat (EAC)
