The Media24 Journalism Academy is bringing experts, tabloid editors and top speakers for a conference titled "Mainstreaming Tabloids" to be held from 8.30am to 4.30pm on May 13 2011 at Media Park, 69 Kingsway, Auckland Park, Johannesburg. The conference will discuss the nature, challenges and future of tabloid journalism and journalistic skills and business models that lead to success of this model.
Issues on the table
The conference will explores such issues as:
What exactly is tabloid journalism? Is it "normal" journalism with a twang, or is it a complex and difficult journalism with a completely different focus and style?
What do loyal tabloid readers say and how have they influenced the evolution of tabloids?
If tabloids are here to stay, are university journalism departments embracing this new development with the same hype as they did online journalism?
Does South Africa have the journalistic skills to produce top-notch tabloids?
Is advertising revenue following these millions of readers or are advertisers reluctant to recognise the aspirations of tabloid readers?
What are the signposts of the future of tabloids, given the technological advances of consumers?
Speakers
Bill Coles, international tabloid expert from the UK
Deon du Plessis, founder of the Daily Sun
Tabloid editors Themba Khumalo (Daily Sun), Elliott Sylvester (Voice), Andrew Koopman (Son), and Wally Mbhele (Sunday World)
Jos Kuper, internationally renowned media researcher of FutureFact
Herman Wasserman, author of Tabloid Journalism in South Africa
Award-winning tabloid writer Prince Chauke
Francois Groepe, outgoing Media24 CEO
Fergus Sampson, Media24's CEO of Emerging Markets
Harry Herber of The MediaShop
For more information contact the Media Park on +27 11 713 9579 or moc.42aidem@ymedaca
