2023:Program/Community Initiatives/UN8T8E-West African Media Literacy Project

Title: West African Media Literacy Project

Speakers:

Harriet Bayel

I am Harriet Bayel, a Ghanaian Wikimedian and community lead for the Global Open Intiative Foundation. I am currently studying to acquire a master’s degree in leadership in open education from the University of Nova Gorica and saying yes to new adventures. I am very passionate about volunteerism and bridging the content and digital gender gaps. During Re:publica 2018, a representative from a trusted media house in Ghana made mention of Wikipedia not being a credible site. As the volunteer at the Wikipedia desk, I made it known to her that we depended on their site for sources, hence they might be responsible for errors. Another problem that has been identified is the duplication of content from one media site on all other media sites, which is the copying and sharing of the same content on all other platforms. I once had a conversation with an academic writing lecturer who shared the same sentiments. Considering our dependence on such media houses for sources and contributions of content to Wikipedia, we realized the need to involve a larger audience to help solve this issue by sensitising journalists and the media.

Matti Blume (User:MB-one)

Multimedia-oriented Wikimedian

Pretalx link

Etherpad link

Room: Room 326

Start time: Fri, 18 Aug 2023 12:05:00 +0800

End time: Fri, 18 Aug 2023 12:35:00 +0800

Type: No (pretalx) session type id specified

Track: Community Initiatives

Submission state: confirmed

Duration: 30 minutes

Do not record: false

Presentation language: en

Abstract & description

Abstract

This discussion activity aims to sensitise journalists and media organisations on the importance of providing sources for Wikipedia volunteers in order to create a more comprehensive and accurate picture of West African history and culture. Participants will be divided into small groups to brainstorm creative strategies and ideas, which will be presented to the larger group for further discussion. The group will prioritise the top three ideas and discuss how to implement them.

Description

During Re:publica 2018, a representative from a trusted media house in Ghana made mention of Wikipedia not being a credible site. As the volunteer at the Wikipedia desk, I made it known to her that we depended on their site for sources, hence they might be responsible for errors. Another problem that has been identified is the duplication of content from one media site on all other media sites, which is the copying and sharing of the same content on all other platforms. Considering our dependence on such media houses for sources and the contribution of content on Wikipedia, we realised the need to involve a larger audience to help solve this issue by sensitising the media. The objective of this discussion activity is to gather strategies and ideas on how to sensitise journalists and media organisations on the importance of sources for Wikipedia volunteers. By working together, we can create a more comprehensive and accurate picture of West Africa’s history and culture. The aim of this project is to gather learnings that are easily transferable to other countries facing similar challenges. Aside from the Culture or Community Initiatives track this session fits well in GLAM, Heritage, and Culture.

Further details

Qn. How does your session relate to the event themes: Diversity, Collaboration Future?

Diversity The session relates to diversity by seeking to collect ideas and perspectives from participants from across various countries that will help sensitise and encourage journalists and the media to provide information and knowledge about the African continent, especially about marginalised communities. Collaboration This session relates to collaboration by not only seeking the input of participants but also working together to ensure the implementation of the ideas generated. In addition to the above, our goal of sensitising journalists and media organisations will help support the work of Wikimedians to bridge the content gap. Future The ideas and strategies generated from the input of the diverse participants in this session will greatly help in closing the content gap and also encourage innovation in free knowledge.

Qn. What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?

Some experience will be needed

Qn. What is the most appropriate format for this session?

Onsite in Singapore
Remote online participation, livestreamed
Remote from a satellite event
Hybrid with some participants in Singapore and others dialing in remotely
Pre-recorded and available on demand