Lawyer and media law lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Sammy Darko, has been selected as part of a global panel to discuss the tenets of undercover journalism at the 2019 African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC2019) in Johannesburg, South Africa.
This year’s conference, which is the 15th edition, will take place on October 28-30. It will be the largest gathering of investigative journalists in Africa, organized by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits Journalism).
The AIJC provides the opportunity for practising and student journalists to learn contemporary skills in investigative journalism while sharing challenges confronting the profession.
Other speakers at the three-day event include Anya Schiffrin, Director of the Technology, Media, and Communications specialization at Columbia University; Benjamin Strick, Open-source investigative journalist at BBC Africa Eye; Dapo Olorunyomi, Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times Limited in Nigeria and Jacques Pauw, an investigative journalist and author.
The list further includes renowned undercover journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas; Adi Eyal, Computer scientist and founder of OpenUp; Emmanuel K. Dogbevi, Managing Editor of Ghana Business News among several acclaimed professionals in the media and technology industry.
Sammy Darko was picked for his rich media background and thriving legal career and he is expected to bring such knowledge to bear on the conference.
He is a lecturer at the Faculty of Information Technology and Communications Studies (FITCS) of UPSA and holds a Master’s degree in Gender, Peace and Security from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre. He holds two other degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and an LLB from the University of Ghana and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration respectively.
He also holds a certificate in Multimedia Journalism from the BBC College of Journalism in London. Sammy is a prospective PhD candidate.
His Professional background
Sammy Darko has been teaching and researching into journalism and media law at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) since 2016. Until December 2015, Sammy Darko was the BBC World Service correspondent for Ghana.
Prior to that, he worked for one of Ghana’s leading private radio stations, Joy FM in Accra as a presenter, parliamentary correspondent and Court reporter.
Sammy has worked across most media platforms including TV, radio and online for BBC World Service and BBC Domestic audience. Sammy is currently an associate at Cromwell Gray LLP, a private legal firm in Accra.
About the Conference
The African Investigative Journalism Conference is an annual event organised by the Journalism Programme of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is Africa’s premier investigative journalism conference providing investigative journalists with the opportunity to learn new skills and share top investigative stories and experiences.
