The 16th edition of the Highway Africa Conference, an annual gathering of African journalists and communications experts, kicked off yesterday, 9 September 2012, at Rhodes University in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

Hundreds of media professionals, academics and activists have gathered to take part in the discussions around the theme "Africa Rising? How the media frame the continent's geopolitics, trade and economic growth".

Unfortunately I was unable to attend this year's conference, but I've been keeping up to date by following the hashtag #HAGFMD2012 on Twitter. Some very interesting points are being made and I suggest you follow the conversations.

Bettina Peters, director of the Global Forum for Media Development, who is co-hosting its third world conference with Highway Africa, in the opening ceremony reminded participants that "the role of the media in building a democratic society should not be forgotten".

For the FOMO, that's the Fear Of Missing Out, check out www.highwayafrica.com, @highway_africa, #HAGFMD2012, #HA2012 and the hanow.co.za mobi-site.

In other news this week: Alan Peevers is the new MD at Y&R Nairobi; CNBC to open in Rwanda; Airtel drops roaming charges for subscribers and GOtv slashes subscription prices.

Here's to a good week!

Evan-Lee Courie @evan1985

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