Dinesh Balliah

I am the Director of the Centre for Journalism at Wits University in Johannesburg. Key roles: - Co-convened the first ever Sustainable Journalism Conference in Nairobi, Kenya in 2023. Attracted 350 delegates from across Africa - Co-convened the 2022 South African Communications Association conference at Wits University - Published the first ever History of the Internet in South Africa in 2003 - Former deputy public advocate of the Press Council of South Africa - Former Chair of the Board of Health-e News Service - Currently a member of the advisory committee member of the South African Media Innovation Project (SAMIP), run by the New York- based MDIF (Media Development Investment Fund) - Former member of the editorial advisory committee at television station, Newzroom Afrika - Former director of the Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg (chaired Risk, Ethics and Governance sub-committee - Current Board member of community radio station, VoWFM in Johannesburg Currently a judge for the South African Radio Awards. Previously I have been a judge for the Standard Bank Sikuvile Awards for Journalism Excellence, the Forum for Community Journalists Awards and Diageo Responsible Drinking Media Awards. I hold a PhD in Journalism and Media Studies from Wits University.