Diverse Communities, Diverse Media: The 10th OURMedia conference in Goroka, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

The 10^th OURMedia conference was held from 21-25 July 2014 at the University of Goroka (UOG) in Papua New Guinea. The Centre for Social and Creative Media (CSCM), a media research centre of UOG, took the lead in organising the conference. In line with the focus of the CSCM around locally appropriate approaches to research and media production, the conference themes included the theory and practice of alternative and community media, indigenous values and communication for development, mobile and social media, and issues of representation and intellectual property among others. Attended by over 150 scholars and practitioners from over a dozen different countries, who were welcomed by the traditional landowners of Humilaveka[i], OURMedia X was a significant event for understanding community and alternative media in the Pacific. This brief report captures some of the key concepts and ideas discussed at this conference and the contribution it makes to current debates around communication and social change. We predominantly present examples from Papua New Guinea to contextualise some of the keynote presentations and discussions at OURMedia X.

[i] Humilaveka is the plateau or area where the University of Goroka is located.