May 23, 2016 | Annual Conference
The AMIC Board of Directors has approved the postponement of the AMIC Conference, originally scheduled on 15-17 September 2016, to a later date in 2017, still to be held in Manila, Philippines.
AMIC apologizes to all abstract writers who have already made arrangements for this event for any inconvenience this would cause them.
The decision was made to enable the newly-established AMIC Secretariat in Manila to focus on urgent administrative matters to ensure the Centre’s smooth operations.
Among the major concerns currently being addressed are the following: (1) financial management, including settlement of outstanding obligations incurred during the last few years of operation in Singapore, collection of AMIC outstanding receivables, closing of Singapore-based bank accounts, and preparation of 2015 financial reports, (2) closing down of AMIC Ltd. under the Members Voluntary Liquidation of Singapore, and (3) rationalization of selection and terms of reference of AMIC Country Representatives.
In addition, the postponement of the 25th International Conference will enable AMIC to focus on equally important projects such as: (1) inauguration of the new AMIC office at the Philippine Women’s University, (2) launching of an extensive membership drive, and (3) launching of AMIC Textbook Project and related publications, e.g., Asian Communication Handbook 7th edition.
AMIC will also proceed with the selection of its 2016 AMIC Asia Communication Award laureates.
AMIC sincerely apologizes to all colleagues who have responded positively to its Call for Abstracts. AMIC received at least 140 abstracts during the first two initial calls as of 18 May.
AMIC assures all those who submitted their abstracts that these will still be considered in the 2017 conference (as AMIC will keep the conference theme and strands).
AMIC will continue to give feedback on the abstracts submitted and provide some suggestions on how the eventual papers can be enriched and made more consistent with our theme. The reschedule will give the abstract writers adequate time to review and enhance submitted abstracts/papers.
The Philippines and India, countries where most of AMIC members come from, are also planning to convene their own AMIC national conference within the year. AMIC welcomes such initiatives as these forums provide platforms for members to exchange developments and innovations in communication, as well as AMIC updates. AMIC shall update members about these national forums soon.
AMIC also takes this opportunity to cite its accomplishments since the transfer of AMIC to Manila: (1) reorganization of AMIC Board of Management, (2) transfer of physical assets, including equipment, books, and supplies and materials, (3) setting up of new AMIC office at PWU annex building, (4) registration of AMIC with the Philippines Securities & Exchange Commission, securing of business permits and tax registrations, and opening of bank accounts, (5) resolution of ownership of AJC and Media Asia and agreement with WKWSCI-NTU on royalties and editorial fees in favor of AMIC, (6) reconstruction of databases – current and past members, subscription lists for Asian Journal of Communication (AJC) and Media Asia, (7) digital archiving of majority of past issues of Media Asia, (8) continuing networking with partners, including UNESCO, IAMCR, etc., and (9) preparation and submission of programme/project proposals to partners.
We call on our members to rally behind the organization by engaging in the following: (1) renewing institutional and individual memberships and inviting colleagues to be part of AMIC, (2) renewing subscriptions to Media Asia and Asian Journal of Communication, (3) organizing AMIC national events in coordination with country representatives, (4) participating in future programmes and projects, and (5) linking AMIC with potential donors.
The AMIC Board of Directors, Board of Management, and Secretariat are working together to reinvigorate AMIC to become a more relevant professional association. We are confident that our members will do their part in building AMIC.
Apr 5, 2016 | Annual Conference
25th AMIC Annual International Conference
Manila, 15-17 September 2016
2nd CALL FOR PAPERS – DEADLINE IS 30 MAY 2016
The deadline for submission of abstracts for the 2016 AMIC Conference in Manila, Philippines has been extended to 30 May 2016. Notification of acceptance for abstracts submitted for the new deadline is on 30 July 2016.
For abstracts submitted on or before 30 March 2016, writers will be advised on the acceptance of their abstract on 15 May 2016.
The theme of the conference is Rethinking Communication in a Resurgent Asia
FORMAT FOR ABSTRACTS
Abstracts should be submitted via email to conference@amic.asia. Indicate your proposed conference stream in the subject line of your email. Please choose from the following:
Communication Philosophies, Theories, and Paradigms
Communication and Culture
Communication Education
Communication Media
Communication Strategies and Approaches
Inclusive Knowledge Societies
Global Communication
Asian Business Communication
Please refer to First Call for Papers for the specific topics under each conference stream. You may visit AMIC website: www.amic.asia
E-mail should include the following:
- paper title
- author name, position, institution
- short biography of author (100 words)
- paper abstract (500 words)
For more information, please contact Mr. Ramon R. Tuazon (r.tuazon@amic.asia or rrtuazon722@yahoo.com)
Mar 11, 2016 | News
AMIC joins the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) on May 3, 2016. The theme of this year’s WPFD commemoration is “Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms: This Is Your Right!”
AMIC noted that many violations of press freedom have taken place in the Asia Pacific, the most dangerous region in the world for journalists according to a February 2016 report by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). In this connection, AMIC plans to conduct a study on policies and programs related to safety of journalists in the region.
The IFJ noted that since 1990, the Asia Pacific has registered the highest death toll of journalists and media professionals at 571. This translates to a regional average of 23 media killings a year. The region’s record is followed by the Middle East with 473 killings, the Americas at 472, Africa at 424, and Europe with 357 dead.
This year, UNESCO and the Government of Finland are co-hosting the WPFD main event and the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize awarding ceremony in Helsinki, Finland, from May 2 to 4.
At the same time, UNESCO and the UNESCO Chair at University of Gothenburg are co-organizing on May 3 to 4 the Research Conference on Safety of Journalists in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, University of Helsinki, and University of Tampere.
The World Press Freedom Day celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom by evaluating the state of the press around the world to defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
The World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a recommendation adopted at the 26th Session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991.
To better understand and act on the issue of safety, UNESCO is promoting a research agenda on the safety of journalists. In 2015, an academic research agenda on safety of journalists was developed to strengthen academic research on the issue and cooperation with academia in line with the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
Feb 13, 2016 | News
AMIC Secretary General Ramon R. Tuazon attended the 38th session of the UNESCO General Conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France held on 10-11 November 2015. He represented the Philippines at the Communication and Information Commission.
During the session, Secretary General Tuazon commended UNESCO’s unrelenting efforts to promote the safety and protection of journalists worldwide, including its lead role in promoting the “UN Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists.”
Asserting that an effective criminal justice system is a strong deterrent to impunity, he called on the UN body to complement safety and protection initiatives with programs that strengthen the criminal justice system and promote the rule of law.
SG Tuazon also had one-on-one discussions with UNESCO officials, including Director Guy Berger of the Freedom of Expression and Media Development Division and Director Indrajit Banerjee of the Knowledge Societies Division. Dr. Banerjee is a former AMIC Secretary General.
After the Paris conference, he proceeded to South China Normal University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China. He was resource person on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) during a seminar of the UNESCO Resource Distribution and Training Centre(RDTC) held 11-13 November 2015.
The seminar theme was “Teacher Training to Promote Safe, Effective and Responsible Use of ICT.” It was participated in by 35 deans and professors from several teacher education institutions (TEIs) in the Asia-Pacific region.
SG Tuazon encouraged the TEIs to integrate MIL in their respective teacher training curriculum to equip educators with necessary competencies needed not only to teach the course but also to mentor young people on MIL even outside the classroom.
The AMIC Secretary General then facilitated two workshops on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) for 30 leaders of Myanmar civil society organizations (CSOs).
Held on 14-15 and 16-17 December 2015 in Yangon, the workshop series was organized by UNESCO Myanmar.
