The debut summit of an annual global media communications event, RE:IMAGINE, hosted by EA Media Productions kicks off at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15th, 2016, at Webster University Ghana Campus and Alisa Hotel under the theme The 3 S’s: Stories; Standards; Sex.
“Media does two things: it tells stories and it creates the standards with which to tell those stories. My focus in journalism and with this summit is our untold stories. They have the power to change lives, inform perspective, transform our worlds,” explains Esther Armah, Director of EA Productions and brainchild of the Re:Imagine summit, via email.
She further clarifies:
“Standards? Standards are about how we tell those stories – the language we use, the quality of our work. Do the standards we have now represent the best of us? Or could we do more to reflect the very best of ourselves?. When it comes to sex – it’s two things. The first: the open secret in media about what women go through and have to deal with when it comes to getting jobs, promotion, authority, grades. Being fondled, transactional sex – it is part of this industry. And it is hurting women. How do we change that? The second thing: how we tell stories about sex. What kind of language do we use, what’s the focus, the frame and narrative. We blame, shame, ridicule girls and women. These are big issues for me when it comes to media in Ghana. And Re:Imagine is about tackling big issues.”
The two-part program speaks to creators, presenters and producers of stories about Africa while engaging others with a keen interest in Africa focused media communications.
The first part dubbed Vision Breakfast, to be held at Webster University Ghana Campus, features an all women panel of influential communicators in academia, business, radio and television including Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Anita Eskine , Esi Arhin and others.
“I hope the summit will open a window or two for women in the profession in a way that charts a course and consciously drives change that would scale up the reportage of issues that concern and affect women,” remarks Esi Arhin Turkson, broadcaster and producer.
Part two of Re:Imagine, to be held at 6:30 p.m. on the same day at Alisa Hotel, will engage Kojo Yankson of Joy 99.7 FM and Ben Avle of CitiFM in a discussion on consent and how stories of sex and sexual assault are narrated in media.
The Re:Imagine summit is free, however, registration is required. Call +23326 468 5011 to secure a spot.