The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa is calling for registration for a free seven-week online course on “Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Africa” created in honour of and to amplify the legacy of the late South African journalist and media rights activist, Ms Jeanette Minnie
To respond to the Coronavirus pandemic, this third version of this course (90 minutes a week) has been updated. It kicks off on June 15and runs till August 3, 2020. A new session titled: “African media in times of the COVID-19 crisis” has been added besides referencing the new “Declaration on Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa.”
A participant in 2019 said of the course: “The modules were packed with useful and incredibly concise information, with transcripts one can download for keeps. I love the case studies that spoke to each module and how diverse they work (focusing on different African countries). Kudos to the people who set the questions – it was clear they are incredible teachers.”
Registration for the course is available here: http://bit.ly/MediaFreedomAfrica. Women are especially encouraged to enrol.
“A new insight to the role of engagement played by civil society to bringing about good governance in their respective countries and the need for it never to relent and continually serve as a watchdog in their respective countries,” according to another participant.
A vibrant media system before, during and after the pandemic is mission-critical for African progress, this online course aims to empower people to achieve this.
According to the organisers, “When a vibrant media infrastructure is more important than ever, this free online course can help result in policies that promote affordable internet, protect journalism and support independent media – especially in Africa.”
