How I completed training in Citizen Journalism at Wits

By Thatoyaone Moepetsane

Democracy and participatory journalism are key principles in ensuring that the voices of citizens are heard and that the media represents a wide range of perspectives.

Understanding the challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation is crucial for maintaining the integrity of journalism. Fact-checking skills are essential in verifying information and ensuring accuracy in reporting. The ability to cover elections and political reporting is important in holding those in power accountable. Media literacy equips individuals with the tools to critically analyze media messages and navigate the ever-changing media landscape.

Citizen journalism plays a crucial role in today’s society, especially when it comes to combating misinformation and disinformation. The topics mentioned, such as democracy and participatory journalism, fact-checking, election/political reporting, media literacy, media and society, multimedia, and social media storytelling, are all essential aspects of citizen journalism.

I should apply my knowledge and skills in my future endeavours as a citizen journalist. My ability to fact-check, critically analyze information, and tell stories using multimedia and social media platforms can make a significant impact in promoting accurate and reliable news. I can provide information on media literacy and its importance in combating misinformation.

Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media messages in various forms. It involves being able to critically understand and interpret media content, recognizing bias and propaganda, and identifying reliable and accurate sources of information.

Training in citizen journalism at Wits would likely have enhanced my understanding of media literacy by equipping me with the necessary skills to navigate and engage with media effectively. I would have learned how to identify trustworthy sources, fact-check information, and verify the credibility of news stories.

In today’s digital age, where information spreads rapidly through social media and online platforms, media literacy plays a crucial role in combatting misinformation. It allows individuals to discern between credible and unreliable sources, preventing the spread of false information. By being media-literate, I can contribute to a more informed society and help create a culture of responsible and accurate reporting.

Overall, my training in citizen journalism at Wats would have likely emphasized the importance of media literacy in promoting accurate news and combating misinformation. It would have provided me with the tools and knowledge to make a positive impact as a citizen journalist.

Media literacy helps individuals distinguish between reliable and accurate sources of information and those that are biased or contain propaganda by teaching them critical thinking skills and providing them with the knowledge to analyze and evaluate media content.

With media literacy, individuals learn to look for multiple sources of information and cross-check facts. Media literacy also emphasizes the importance of recognizing bias and understanding how it can shape the presentation and interpretation of information. Ultimately, media literacy empowers individuals to make well-rounded and informed decisions about the information they encounter in the media landscape.

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About the author:

Thatoyaone Moepetsane – born in the year 1992, born at Tlakgameng village, North West Province, active politician, started to be involved in politics at high school, still involved to date, author and social entrepreneur.