Wits University and the SA Nieman Fellowship will co-host the Narrative Journalism Conference on June 13 and 14 at the Bozzoli Hall on Wits' main campus.
The annual Nieman Narrative Journalism Conference (co-hosted by the Poynter Institute and The Boston Globe) is attended by a thousand mid-career journalists from around the globe each year.
The Conference offers senior reporters and editors a forum for critical thinking, debate and learning about narrative journalism. It will inaugurate a series of annual conferences seeking to hone the craft of journalism.
Kramer says increasing interest in Narrative Journalism favors both readers and writers: "Editorial interest in narrative is up as news media search for remedies to widespread current business problems: declining or stagnant newspaper circulation, aging readership, and decreased minutes spent reading papers.
"Narrative is on the remedy list because it engages readers. In this age of mega-corporate media saturation, Web sites and workaholism, readers still savor stories in which people's lives and decision-making are vividly portrayed."
Kramer will present two sessions; one about the history, practice and resistance to news narrative and a second on how good narrative gets reported, written and presented.
The Narrative Journalism Conference, scheduled for June 13 - 14, 2005 at Wits University will host key international and local speakers including Kramer; author Susan E Eaton; SABC head of Radio Pippa Green; Joe Thloloe, SANEF; Mathatha Tsedu, City Press; Prof Loyiso Nongxa, Wits; Prof Anton Harber, Wits; Ferial Haffajee, Mail & Guardian; Mondli Makhanya, Sunday Times; Phil Molefe, SABC; Tim Du Plessis, Rapport; Farai Samhungu, Inter Press Services; John Perlman SABC; Jonny Steinberg; Amy Costello; Dele Olojede; Alexandra Dodd; Kerry Cullinan; Dave Hazelhurst, Nalisha, Debbie Yasbek and more.
Registration fee is R1 400. There is a reduced registration fee of R450 for registered students and freelance reporters. A 10% discount is offered for companies booking 10 or more participants. To book online, go to www.journalism.co.za and click on Narrative Journalism Conference. Registration forms can be faxed to +27 11 327-0188.
