It is exciting that literacy programmes are making their way into townships in South Africa. This is good as it helps less privileged children to be more interested in reading. That being said, the article titled, “Reading keeps kids awake” (Daily Sun, 27/04/2021) receives a GLAD[1] from Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) for showing children in a positive way and for interviewing a child.

The article by Misheck Makora is about a mobile library reading programme for children which was launched by a local Non-Governmental Organisation and Learning Academy in Langa, Western Cape. The mobile library was launched to teach kids how to read in English and isiXhosa.

Speaking to the journalist about the programme, a 12-year-old pupil, Buhle Siko said, “I love the reading session because it keeps our minds awake.”

This is a good move by the journalist to interview one of the children participating in the programme because this initiative is made for them and hearing their voice on how they feel enriches the article itself.

MMA’s Editorial Guidelines and Principles for Reporting on Children in the Media state, “Children have a right to have their views heard on matters that affect them, so the media should try and include them.”  

The article is accompanied by a picture of curious-looking children sitting and listening to what is being read to them.  MMA’s Editorial Guidelines also talk about how journalists should use empowering images of children by stating, “Images of children can be extremely powerful and have a significant impact on people.”

Education expert, Professor Mary Metcalfe states in the article, “Children who love reading excel at school and go on to become constructive members of society. It all starts with reading. We aim to address the troubling reality that young children in our communities are not reading as much as they require for their educational development.”

MMA congratulates Daily Sun and Misheck Makora for this article that has children as a central focus. We look forward to more articles that that are child-centred and include children’s views.

By Msizi Mzolo

[1] GLADs are awarded to media for reporting on children responsibly and for accessing them