The issues

• South Africa’s international image is unfortunately often tainted by widespread international coverage of crime, corruption and AIDS with little coverage of its economic growth or other success stories
• international confidence in the country is critical to attract the levels of inward investment and foreign trade required
• As the leading economy in Africa, South Africa has a major role to play in leading the development of the continent, while at the same time tackling the challenges associated with the global perception of the continent.
• The way that international media operates is changing and will continue to change as a result of the global take up of new media channels                                  
• The role of both government and business is crucial in shaping the world’s media coverage through proactive and positive media relations management using traditional as well as new emerging media channels.

Why you must attend the International Media Forum South Africa 08

• The International Media Forum will bring together Government, Business and the international media with a mission to improve international media relations on all sides for the benefit of the future economic development of South Africa and Africa as a continent.
• Companies in South Africa must take part to learn from the media decision makers at the Forum how media is changing, how it might work in future and how to ensure positive relations and good media coverage.
• Delegates will be able to have their say  and learn how to create the kind of success stories that they need to in order to ensure future prosperity for themselves, their nation and the continent as a whole.
• Government must take part to learn alongside companies and demonstrate its commitment to the development of a positive media relations strategy for the future.
• Public Relations firms must take part to understand how media is changing and will continue to change in future, to make contacts, both client and in the media, to begin the process of partnership with business and government to help improve South Africa’s position on the world’s media landscape.