THE FUTURE OF THE NEWS

The production and circulation of independent, quality news is a hallmark of democratic societies with a complex history of commercial practices, regulatory controls and technological innovation. The demise of the existing business model of the local and regional press and of broadcast news in the regions together with the struggle for survival of many national newspapers demands a critical consideration of what we want news for and how it can be delivered.
A recent study by Goldsmiths Leverhulme Media Research Center provides empirical evidence that challenges utopian visions of the internet as a brave new world with everyone connected to everyone else, a non-hierarchical network of voices with equal, open and global access. This latest ‘new’ world of ‘new’ media has not greatly expanded the news that we read or hear or changed mainstream news values and traditional news formats; neither has it connected a legion of bloggers to a mass audience. Rather, as the economic model for traditional news production stumbles and falls in the digital age, professional journalism has become the first casualty, the second, if we’re not careful, and pretty close behind will be the health of our democracy.
The research draws on over 170 interviews with a range of professionals from a cross section of mainstream news media, as well as news sources and new producers online including bloggers and people operating in the realm of alternative news; we added to this, 3 newsroom ethnographic and a content analysis of online news across mainstream news media, online alternative media, social networking sites and YouTube.
We looked at the role of structural factors such as commerce, finance and regulation along with the cultural complexities of journalism, journalistic subjective and working practices.
And we found an industry and a practice in trouble.

African Educational Standard

Why Education?

Education is vital to a thriving society. A society that is ignorant will become the breeding ground for violence and intolerance. But an educated society will be a breeding ground for tolerance and peace, justice and understanding, innovation and advancement, and positive, self-sustaining growth. It's important to educate our children, no matter where they live, for they will grow to become responsible citizens of their society. Each child represents a future, the future of the community, of the country, and indeed the future of the whole world.

• The Need for Education at the Most Basic Levels is Known and Agreed to Globally

Poverty

141,000,000 people in East Africa live on less than $2US/day Typical family size has 6 children. ¹
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Cost of education remains the largest obstacle: 700 full board, $30 uniform/shoes, $30 school supplies/term.

Access to Education

East Africa has high initial primary enrollment rates (>90%), but lose 30-40% of students before they complete primary school.²
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In 2007, only 25% of elementary school students went on to high school because of the expenses.³
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In 2006, 101 million children, more than half of them girls, were not attending primary school, the majority of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa.⁴
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Sexual violence, unsafe school environments and inadequate sanitation disproportionately affect girls' self-esteem, participation and retention in school.

Quality of Education

East Africa struggles to provide education quality and infrastructure as indicated by student-to-teacher ratios, primary completion rates, secondary enrollment, and youth literacy rates.
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Student-to-teacher ratios have increased in sub-Saharan Africa due to mandatory enrollment. East Africa averages 72 students to 1 teacher. Four million new primary school teachers are needed in East Africa alone to reach the goal of universal primary education by 2015.
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Crowded and dilapidated classrooms, coupled with insufficient teaching resources and instructional time, reflect well-below average standard of educational institutions. Advanced learning is impeded due to nonexistent basic math and science materials.⁵

Application of Knowledge

Low innovation and entrepreneurship contribute to high unemployment rates and dependency on foreign aid.

 Provide Education Through Merit-Based Scholarships

 One of the greatest educational needs in East Africa is funding students' school costs. We provide merit-based support that includes school and exam fees, uniforms and personal supplies, boarding, food and learning materials. This allows students access to schools that they might not otherwise have an opportunity to reach.

Asante Africa Foundation has established partnerships with local African community leaders who have made it their mission to help all children be valued, educated, and healthy. We sponsor girls and boys who are gifted, eager to learn, and financially challenged.

There exists in some people an inherent desire to make the world a better place. As a young girl, Mwanaidi Nuhu recognized that by pursuing an education she could make her world a better place locally and globally. This is a goal she is achieving with the assistance ... Read More