2024 Elections

The Media Development & Diversity Agency (MDDA) has conducted Elections Coverage workshops in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal for community media journalists in preparation for the upcoming 2024 National Elections. The training is aimed at capacitating community media practitioners to improve their coverage of elections and related issues.

Elections are a critical part of democracy and for the electorate to be fully informed of their rights and responsibilities during this period, the media (especially community media) has an important role to play in educating and informing citizens. The year 2024 marks the 30 th anniversary of democracy in South Africa, an opportunity for community media to sharpen its resolve towards providing information to citizens in a responsible, ethical, fair and unbiased manner. In turn, citizens are able to make informed choices while holding elected representatives to account. The role of community media is critical in building an informed and empowered citizenry capable of full participation in the democratic programme.

Thematic areas covered at the workshop include, election practices which creates barriers for voters with disabilities, new media in the context of elections coverage, candidate campaigns, citizen journalism, electoral code and broadcast regulations, as well as disinformation and fact checking for beginners.