Does the internet keep freedom of speech alive in places like Zimbabwe where independent mainstream media has been shut down? Do the actions of local media in chaotic states like Somalia have any impact on events? Is it possible to have an African version of CNN? These are among the questions that international journalists have raised as proposals for the POLIS Silverstone Global Journalism Fellowships. As I attempt to shortlist this rich harvest of thoughtful ideas about global media I realise that there is so much we don’t know about the impact of journalism around the world and so much we need to know. It’s the first anniversary of POLIS this week and I am

delighted that we are, at least, trying to ask the questions, even if the answers take a little longer to get. Come to our Africa Media Report launch on June 27th if you want to find out more about our activities in investigating global journalsm.