Burkina to Host International Conference on Societal Changes Affecting Media Professions.

Ouagadougou: The Media and Organizational Communications Laboratory (LAMCO) of Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Ouagadougou has announced it will host an international conference from November 14 to 16, 2024. The event will gather 250 participants to discuss 'The practice of information and communication in a changing society'.According to Burkina Information Agency, the conference will bring together teacher-researchers, doctoral students, journalists, and communicators from seven countries. These participants will reflect on the impact of societal changes on information and communication careers at the PSUT building of Joseph Ki-Zerbo University.Dr. Firmin Gouba, the head of LAMCO, highlighted during a press conference on November 5, 2024, that societal attitudes have evolved significantly in Burkina Faso. The means of producing information have transformed with the advent of the Internet and artificial intelligence, which are now integral to information dissemination.Dr. Gouba also noted that since the popular uprising on October 30 and 31, 2014, the relationship between citizens and the State has undergone a transformation, with citizens increasingly becoming both producers and disseminators of information. He posed a question regarding journalists' roles in crises, pondering whether they should adhere to professional ethics or support a dynamic.The conference aims to address these societal shifts by engaging in both face-to-face and online discussions to align journalism and communication practices with current demands. The forum will feature scientific debates on four themes, including the challenges of corporate governance in the age of social media and journalism in crisis contexts.The event will commence with a lecture by Professor Serge Théophile Balima, and a tourist excursion is planned for international attendees to explore Burkinabe culture. Dr. Gouba concluded that the best communications presented at the conference will be compiled and made available to the academic community, policymakers, and others interested in the findings.