mDDA
MDDA HOSTS ELECTIONS COVERAGE TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY MEDIA
13 February 2024
- The Media Development & Diversity Agency (MDDA) in partnership with the KwaZulu Natal provincial office of the IEC, is currently hosting a three-day Elections Coverage workshop in 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. It aims to assist community media journalists to deliver coverage to citizens in a responsible, ethical and unbiased manner. The role of community media is critical in building an informed and empowered citizenry capable of full participation in the democratic dispensation.
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. This year, 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of democracy in South Africa, an important milestone in the history of our maturing democracy.
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.
At the conclusion of the workshop, community media representatives will have gained better insights on elections coverage and acquired necessary training and support. The training ends tomorrow, Wednesday 14 February 2024.
For more information, contact the MDDA Communications unit, e-mail: margaret@mdda.org.za /082 785 6071.