University of Pretoria (UP) Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe has been elected to serve on the International Council of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR).

The IAMCR is the pre-eminent worldwide professional organisation in media and communication research. Its members promote global inclusiveness and excellence within the best traditions of critical scholarship in the field. In addition, IAMCR members promote and defend the interests of the professional media and communication researchers’ community in freedom of academic thought and expression, and in career development.

Prof Kupe’s election took place during an online election last month. His tenure will begin on 17 July 2020 at the end of the organisation’s General Assembly, for a four-year period from 2020 to 2024.

Speaking about his election, Prof Kupe said he is looking forward to furthering the organisation’s mission to ensure that media and communications research is supported and developed further.

“I am very honoured to have been elected to the international council of the IAMCR. The role the media and communications industries play in democracies such as ours is immeasurable. With fake news on the rise, we cannot ignore the need for media organisations and researchers who are dedicated to producing content that is properly verified, fact-checked and edited. I look forward to sharing my experiences as a researcher, and an African, with the rest of my colleagues of the IAMCR,” Prof Kupe said.

The international council of the IAMCR is one of the governing bodies of the organisation and is responsible for discussing key issues pertaining to the organisation, including adopting important guidelines to be used by the organisation as a whole.

The IAMCR aims to support and develop media and communication research throughout the world. It particularly encourages the participation of emerging scholars, women, and those from economically disadvantaged regions.

The organisation is supported by the voluntary contributions of many people, including more than 80 Section and Working Group chairs and deputies, 30 members of its International Council, a five-member Executive, many members of various committees and task forces, and more than 2 500 active members of the association.