June 05, 2023

Reporting on Children in the Media Course Launches to Strengthen Journalism on Child Rights Issues

Media Release
By admin 85 Comments

JOHANNESBURG, 30 May 2023 – Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) is excited to launch the ‘Reporting on Children in the Media Course’ in Johannesburg today. The Wits accredited journalism course will bring 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 and free sessions for journalists, or interested persons, to take part in critical discussions targeting key issues in reporting on children.

“Being part of the Reporting on Children in the Media short course has empowered me to be confident when writing and reporting on stories involving children. There’s a sense of pride when you know you have exposed an unjust matter or given a voice to a child who normally would have been voiceless or ignored” said Zanele Mtshali, a RCM 2022 participant.

The course explores how children are represented, and works 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.

“The latest PIRL results that showed 81% of our children cannot read for meaning, shocked the nation. But how do we report on children’s issues? Do we hear their voices? When is it ok to access children? If you want answers to these questions you should sign up for our reporting on children course. Maybe you are looking for hope and inspiration? We can guarantee you will

find it in doing this course. It’s a one of a kind that will equip you to be a better journalist and respect children’s rights in the process ”- William Bird, Director at Media Monitoring Africa

Notes to editors:

For more information on the course please go to:

CLICK HERE

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
Follow MMA on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube