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Media Literacy and Culture of Reading Summit
The MDDA is convening a Media Literacy and Culture of Reading Summit on 26 - 27 March 2010 at the Council Chambers, Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Mafikeng. The theme for the summit is “Basic Media Literacy Education - ‘Constructing Views of Reality’”.
MDDA convenes the second Media Literacy and Culture of Reading Summit at Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality - Mafikeng
The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) is convening a Media Literacy and Culture of Reading Summit on 26 - 27 March 2010 at the Council Chambers, Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Mafikeng in the North West. The theme for the summit is “Basic Media Literacy Education - ‘Constructing Views of Reality’”.
The Agency has a mandate to create an enabling environment for media development and diversity that is conducive to public discourse and that which reflects the needs and aspirations of all South Africans. Further, Section 3 (v) of the MDDA Act requires the Agency to support initiatives which promote literacy and a culture of reading. Accordingly, the MDDA is holding this summit as an attempt to support initiatives that promote literacy and a culture of reading amongst diminished language groups and inadequately served communities.
In this regard, the MDDA has formed a partnership with the Department of Education (DoE), Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Ratlou and Mafikeng Local Municipalities, the Institute for Advancement in Journalism (IAJ), The Star - Newspapers in Education (NIE), Agenda Magazine and the Mafikeng FM to introduce a culture of reading and basic media literacy amongst learners in schools, to promote debate and dialogue on media for learners and to encourage learners to be involved in producing their own media.
The Summit will kick-off with a launch addressed by the Basic Education Deputy Director-General: Office of the DG – Ms. Vivienne Carelse and attended by dignitaries such as the Executive Mayor of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, Ms. Rebecca Mokoto, Mayors of Mafikeng and Ratlou Local Municipalities; the Press Ombudsman - Mr. Joe Thloloe; SABC Group Public Affairs: Stakeholder Manager and MDDA Board member – Ms. Nomonde Gongxeka and others.
There will be a roundtable discussion which will be led by the Press Ombudsman, Mr. Joe Tlholoe. The Press Ombudsman will guide the summit through issues pertaining to self-regulation, democracy, constitution and the children’s rights in relation to the media. Media practitioners from local media will form part of the respondents at the roundtable.
Ten (10) high schools have been selected to participate in this Summit are from the Ratlou and Mafikeng Local Municipalities. The participating schools are Madiba, Batloung, Setlopo, Mmoledi, Mothibinyane, Reikanne, Tshoganyetso, Kagiso Barolong, Kebalepile and Leteane High Schools. Fifty (50) learners from these schools will be attending with their teachers. It is expected that at the end of the Summit, the learners would produce a pro-forma cover page of a newspaper.
“MDDA and its partners have identified a gap in the market and have decided to launch the second Pilot Programme called Media Literacy and Culture of Reading Summit at the Ngaka Modiri Molema District in the North . The two participating local municipalities are Mafikeng and Ratlou. In terms of geographical area, Ngaka Modiri Molema is the second largest district both in population and size in the North West.” says Mr. Lumko Mtimde, Chief Executive Officer of the MDDA.
The deficiency of a culture of reading is a major concern in South African society and indeed in the Southern African region. Media education is part of the basic entitlement of every citizen, in every country in the world, to freedom of expression and the right to information and is instrumental in building and sustaining democracy.
The long term goal for MDDA and its partners is to see the Media Literacy and Culture of Reading programme included in the school curriculum and schools producing their own media products. The intention is to assist young people to be more critical consumers and producers of media as well as to stimulate an interest in media as a field of study. It is envisioned that through this initiative a platform will be set to develop media literacy skills which can be used across the curriculum, thereby contributing to the upliftment of educational standards and promotion of a culture of reading. The promotion of a reading culture amongst South Africans will extend the pool of creativity and communication skills in the country. There is an immense hunger amongst South African youth for information which they can use to improve their lives and empower them to have an effective say in governing.
Issued by:
Lumko Mtimde, Chief Executive Officer
For further information please contact:
Hariet Mhlanga at (011) 726 3336 / 078 800 8161, Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.>
