Media Release
17 August 2022
Reporting on children in the media course launches to strengthen journalism on child rights issues
JOHANNESBURG, 17 August 2022 – Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) launched the ‘Reporting on Children in the Media Course’ in Johannesburg today. The accredited journalism course brings together 12 practicing journalists, from a range of media agencies, on a journey of interactive seminars that aim to deepen their reporting skills in the best interest of children. The course also includes open sessions for journalists, or interested persons, to take part in critical discussions targeting key issues in reporting on children.
“The course really equipped and empowered me as a journalist. It gave me knowledge and skills which you don’t always receive in media school.It helped me to see issues from a different point of view, and all the speakers were so knowledgeable about the different topics we tackled. I believe every journalist should be exposed to this course for the betterment of the journalism fraternity,” said Nomvelo Masango, a RCM 2021 participant.
The course, in exploring how children are represented, will work with journalists to develop
new skills and to demonstrate how children’s rights can be respected in the media, whilst
ensuring journalism of the highest quality. Journalists will be challenged to question the
common representation of children and their issues, as well as open their outlook to new
possibilities for alternative representations.
“This year in addition to a blended learning approach the reporting on children course will
seek not only to equip the limited group with critical skills to report children ethically and in
their best interests, and not only link the participants to top experts on children we are also
hoping to change the lives of those who do the course. There will be mentorship’s and a
hands on practice and working with children ensuring that the few who get to do it will be
able to immediately shift practice,”William Bird, Director at Media Monitoring
Africa
Notes to editors:
For more information on the course please go to:
Course highlights will also be shared on social media platforms, @MediamattersZA
For further information, please contact:
Phakamile Madonsela, Media Monitoring Africa, Tel: 011 788 1278,
phakamilek@mma.org.za
About MMA
Media Monitoring Africa‘s vision is a responsible, quality media that enables an engaged
and informed citizenry in Africa and across the world. MMA aims to promote the
development of a free, fair, ethical and critical media culture in South Africa and the rest of
the continent. To achieve MMA’s vision, the three key areas that MMA seeks to address
through a human rights-based approach are: media ethics, media quality and media
freedom.
For more information about MMA and its work for children visit www.mediamonitoringafrica.org
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