WikiAfrica Hour/Results and best practices 2023
Introduction[edit]
WikiAfrica Hour is a monthly vodcast to support the activities of the WikiAfrica movement and wikimedians across Africa. It is published by Wiki in Africa.
WikiAfrica Hour intends to:
- Share current updates, and highlights of Africa Wikimedians activities
- Interact with guest(s) (if any), and take questions from community members
- Promote synergy within the Wiki community by discussing topics, projects, constraints, collaborations, and opportunities.
Project goals[edit]
The main goals of the programme are to increase the cohesion of the Wikimedia Movement across by :
- Increasing the understanding of and sharing opportunities within the global Wikimedia Movement
- Showcasing the global movement through an African lens by offering alternative perspectives, applications and solutions
- Providing a platform where African solutions, contributors and leaders are showcased to the regional and global movements
2023 SMART Goals for WikiAfrica Hour[edit]
S: Specific
What needs to be accomplished?
- At least one new live StreamYard broadcast episode of WikiAfrica Hour to air each month.
Who’s responsible for it?
- WikiAfrica Hour is a program proposed and run by Wiki In Africa, and as such Wiki In Africa owns the editorial and curatorial responsibility. The WikiAfrica Hour live broadcast episode is handled by the WikiAfrica Hour host, User:Ceslause.
M: Measurable
- The activity output is fully measurable by the number of episodes released since inception. From 23rd April 2021 till date, we have successfully hosted 33 episodes.
A: Achievable
- Through the collective effort of the Wiki In Africa team, WikiAfrica Hour has been able to achieve at least one episode every month till date.
R: Relevant
- The WikiAfrica Hour vodcast is a Live event, a design which enables the community members and audience to ask the guests questions and get responses in real time.
- Each episode is divided into three sections. The first section is the discussion with the guests, during which the guests adequately respond to the script questions. The second section is the Questions and Answers segment, which provides the opportunity for community members and live audience to ask the guests questions and receive responses in real time. The third section is where the host and a second person (Usually chosen by the host) share community news updates that have been collected from the various information platforms in the wiki space.
- The African community needed an initiative like WikiAfrica Hour, which:
- Shares current updates, and highlights of Africa Wikimedians activities
- Interacts with guest(s) (if any), and take questions from community members
- Promotes synergy within the Wiki community by discussing topics, projects, constraints, collaborations, and opportunities.
- And most importantly, the episode topic for each month is ensured to be relevant to events happening at that time across the movement!
T- Time-bound
- A WikiAfrica Hour episode usually takes an average of 3 weeks to plan. There is one regular episode done the last Friday of each month. Some extra episodes may be added depending on context (eg, conferences).
How is it implemented[edit]
User:Ceslause and the entire team brainstorm to come up with a particular topic or title for each month. The team also deliberates on subject matter experts who are knowledgeable about the topic, to be invited as guest speakers during the episode. User:Ceslause researches to get the email addresses of the prospective special guests.
An invitation letter is sent by User:Ceslause, to the prospective guests, detailing the proposed date and time for the episode. The guests either confirm their availability and willingness, or in very rare cases, their unavailability, which results in us finding a substitute.
Upon confirmation of guests, User:Ceslause proceeds to develop the episode script, as already programmed on the episode script template created by Isla Flood-Haddow (User:Islahaddow).
Among the items on the episode script, are tentative questions developed by User:Ceslause for the guests. These questions and the entire episode script are reviewed by Isla Flood-Haddow (User:Islahaddow) and Florence Devouard (User:Anthere). These questions are shared with the special quests before the session, after being thoroughly reviewed. This is contained in a preparation email sent to each guest, alongside a link to enable the guest join the StreamYard broadcast studio, which is already branded and styled accordingly by Isla Flood-Haddow (User:Islahaddow) before each episode goes Live.
There is also a section of the script that contains news updates from within the Wikimedia movement, and outside news that relates to the movement. These news updates are collated from various Wikimedia communication channels, and announced by User:Ceslause and Nonny User:Actveso, or Afek (User:Afek91 sometimes, during the news updates segment of the episode. However, somewhere along the line in 2023, we decided to record the news updates separately, edit the clip and use it for pre-episode communications across our social media platforms in order to drive attendance. The news updates for every month and the links for action points are as usual available on the “Newsroom” column of the WikiAfrica Hour meta page for interested community members to access them.
- timeline of an episode
A WikiAfrica Hour episode usually takes an average of 3 weeks to plan.
Week 1 tasks are as follows:
- Decide focus/topic of session
- Identify guests
- Invite guests
- Confirm guests and time slot
- Do a call for News contributions
- Create Canva artwork
- Upload image to Commons
- Add info to Meta
- Add Episode page post to Wiki In Africa website
Week 2 and 3 tasks are as follows:
- Newsletter announcement (if need be)
- Record news updates
- Email confirmed guests. Request:
- Links to any online profiles or bios
- Twitter or other social media handles
- their organization’s social media handles (if relevant)
- share any links they might raise during the session
- Focus topic published on Social media
- Create 2-4 leading questions about the topics drive information about the upcoming WikiAfrica Hour … including link to WikiAfrica Hour meta page
- Hashtags
- Share on Social Media and Wiki spaces to drive attendance of WAH session
- Communication
- Wikimedia Mailing Lists:
- African Wikimedians
- Wikimedia L
- Facebook
- WikiAfrica pages
- Wikipedia Weekly
- WikiIndaba Facebook messenger group
- LinkedIn (Wiki In Africa)
- Twitter:
- WikiAfrica account
- Telegram:
- Wikimedia General Chat
- African Wikimedians
- WikiFranca
- WikiProject Africa portal:
- WikiProject Africa in English: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Africa
- WikiProject Africa in French: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discussion_Projet:Afrique
- Metrics and stats
- end of the year survey
- views on youtube
- social media metrics
Objectives and Impact in 2023[edit]
| 2023 Objective | 2023 impact | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Host a minimum of 10 WikiAfrica Hour episodes in 2023 | 14 episodes hosted | Due to the preparation for Wikimania 2023 conference, we missed to have an episode for August 2023. However, there were months we had two episodes, which could compensates for the one we missed in August 2023. |
| Have a minimum of 24 guests discussing their experiences | 52 guests hosted | NIL |
| Increase in viewership to 40% of 2022 levels | 51.3% increase | 3,718 in 2022 VS 7,631 views in 2023 |
| Engage with and increase WikiAfrica audience by 30% | % increase in YouTube subscribers | 2022 = subscribers, 2023 = subscribers |
Episodes aired in 2023[edit]
Below is a table showing the episodes hosted in 2023:
| Episode title | Topic | Guests | Moderator | Date | Watch the episode | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | Echoes from WikiIndaba 2023
A roundtable discussion with some WikiIndaba 2023 conference attendees as they share their 2023 Indaba experience. |
|
Ceslause | 24/11/2023 | Watch this episode |  | |
| 32 | Echoes from the gender space
With the launch of the 2023 #SheSaid campaign, the sessions sheds light on how the campaign has fared over the years, how it is impacting the gender space and the community. An attendee of the WikiWomenCamp 2023 also shares an eye-witness experience with our audience on the session for us to know how it went down. |
|
Ceslause | 27/10/2023 | Watch this episode |  | |
| 31 | Wiki Loves Africa 2023: Meet the winners
A session dedicated to celebrating the 2023 winners of the Wiki Loves Africa International media contest as they share their creative journey as Africans leading up to the point of winning Wiki Loves Africa 2023 international prizes. |
|
Ceslause | 29/09/2023 | Watch this episode |  | |
| 30 | Echoes from Wikimania 2023
A chit-chat with some scholars who attended in-person Wikimania conference for the first time, as they share their experiences. |
|
Ceslause | 08/09/2023 | Watch this episode here |  | |
| 29 | Wiki work on the heritage space
This session is dedicated to understanding the place of wiki with regards to heritage, and how our collective approach could have a global impact on the heritage space. |
|
Ceslause | 28/07/2023 | Watch this episode |  | |
| 28 | The state of diversity, equity & inclusion
A panel discussion featuring some amazing wikimedians working in the diversity, equity & inclusion space one way or another. |
|
Ceslause | 14/07/2023 | Watch this episode |  | |
| 27 | WikiChallenge Écoles d'Afrique
Une session consacrée à comprendre le projet WikiChallenge Écoles d'Afrique, les enjeux et perspectives du projet. |
|
Ceslause et Anthere | Le 5 juin, 2023 | Regardez cet épisode |  | |
| 26 | Africa and Movement Charter
A roundtable with two members of Movement Charter Drafting Committee as they discuss the relevance of movement charter to the African community. |
Ceslause | 26/05/2023 | Watch this episode | 
| ||
| 25 | Launch: Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards
In support of the Agenda 2063 of the African Union, the Wikimedia Foundation launches Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards to encourage and recognize the efforts of African journalists on the continent! |
|
Ceslause | 03/05/2023 | Watch this episode | 
| |
| 24 | Tech Ops
What happens behind the scene of the technologies driving Wikimedia projects? Who is responsible for what? |
|
Ceslause | 28/04/2023 | Watch this episode | 
| |
| 23 | Gender Focus
This episode is dedicated to celebrate the International Women's month 2023, through spotlighting some initiatives working to close the gender gap on Wikimedia projects. |
|
Ceslause | 31/03/2023 | Watch this episode | 
| |
| 22 | Special edition: Africa Environment WikiFocus
Official launch of Africa Environment day 2023 campaign of the Africa Knowledge Initiative |
|
Anthony Ibe | 03/03/2023 | Watch this episode | 
| |
| 21 | Commons: Inside out
How has Wikimedia Commons fared so far? What are the possibilities in order to align better with 2030 Movement Strategy? |
|
Ceslause Ogbonnaya | 24/02/2023 | Watch this episode | 
| |
| 20 | (Open gatherings: one movement)
A glimpse into what post-COVID Wikimedia conferences are evolving into. |
|
Ceslause Ogbonnaya | 27/01/2023 | Watch this episode | 
|
WikiAfrica Hour 2023 communications materials[edit]
Lessons learnt[edit]
What worked well
- This year, we conceptualized Echoes from... after the 2023 Wikimania conference in Singapore. Echoes from... is a WikiAfrica Hour concept dedicated to Wikimedia conference attendees to share their experiences after attending a particulate Wikimedia conference. The session also features some recordings of a handful of attendees who were recorded at the said conference while sharing their experiences too.
- The post-episode communications was really efficient in driving up YouTube viewership.
- Having a back-up topic has ensured we have topics to discuss six months in advance
What didn't work well
- Our effort to record the news updates separately and use the for publicity was a bit difficult, as we had to still announce the news Live on some sessions. This was because of the editing which required serious work. Nonny eventually figured we might best record on both mobile phone and laptops in order to get the right dimensions for YouTube, and other social media platforms we intend to drive publicity on.
- The Live broadcast is yet to peak in terms of number of Live audience. The viewership after the live session is always more than the live session.
Guest Survey conducted in 2023[edit]
Executive Summary[edit]
At the end of 2023, we approached the 101 guests that have been part of WikiAfrica Hour since 2021. We asked them a few questions about their experience, and their suggestions for future formats, topics and episodes. One in four of the guests responded. Here are the key findings:
- 96% of guests claimed their overall experience was positive;
- 85% of guests felt overwhelmingly comfortable and engaged during their WikiAfrica hour episodes;
- 62% claimed that it impacted their visibility within the Wikimedia Movement;
- 39% mentioned that they received community feedback about their episode;
- 65% were eager to return as a guest, and 35% were eager but would want to know what topic is being discussed before they committed;
- 73% had watched episodes of WikiAfrica Hour (in addition to the one they attended);
- 69% claimed that the WikiAfrica News section was either useful or very useful for their personal knowledge of opportunities;
Direct Comments[edit]
"I received plenty of positive feedback and words of encouragement from the community, which motivated me to continue participating in the Wiki Loves Africa Contest each year."
"The WikiAfrica Hour where I featured came up barely one week after my groups edit-a-thon. This gave my participants the feeling that I am highly placed in the Wikimedia movement."
"After the session, many people especially from my community in Uganda started consulting me on different aspects of the Wikimedia movement especially the growth aspect. others wanted more clarity on the points I shared during the session. Furthermore, I believe it contributed to my appointment as a Wiki Loves Africa 2024 English Ambassador."
"Some African Wikipedians didn't really know me. But after my visit, they were able to visit my bio to get to know me better. Taking part in that meeting that day was very beneficial for me."
"I was a few months into the WMF role and new to the movement. Being on the podcast helped me understand the movement better and build meaningful connections."
"Yes, my participation in WikiAfrica Hour allowed my entire community, family, and friends to discover me, to hear me express my passion, and it was a source of pride for me. In most of the supportive messages I received, it was said: 'You have found your path,' 'You are on the right track,' 'Keep it up,' or 'Congratulations.' You cannot imagine the positive impact these messages of support had on me. Thanks again to WikiAfrica for providing me with this opportunity."
Key stories[edit]
- The WikiAfrica Hour episode 25 Launch: Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards was suggested by the Wikimedia Foundation in order to get word out about the inauguration of the journalism awards. The WikiAfrica Hour episode 26 Africa and Movement Charter was also suggested by the Movement Charter Drafting Committee. This reiterates the importance of WikiAfrica Hour as a platform for connecting the open movement in Africa.
- The WikiAfrica Hour episode 26 Africa and Movement Charter was a bilingual (English & French) session. The episode 27 WikiChallenge Écoles d'Afrique was purely in French. These show how inclusive the WikiAfrica Hour vodcast is, as it aims to carry along not just the English speaking audience, but also the French-speaking audience.
- WikiAfrica Hour held a special in-person edition at the 2023 WikiIndaba in Agadir, Morocco, during which Ceslause Ogbonnaya hosted three Wikipedia (two English Wikipedia and one Arabic Wikipedia) admins as they discussed the issues around article deletion, reporting issues to stewards, IP/proxy blocks, etc.
- We learned that the Wiki Heritage Hour podcast was inspired by WikiAfrica Hour. How cool is that!