Media Release
7 February 2023
New comic book launched to empower children to combat mis and disinformation
The 2nd volume of the disinformation comic book; ‘Nkosana Our Brave Hero!’ was produced by children and young people to help their peers overcome today’s deluge of mis and disinformation that circulates on and offline.
GQEBERHA, 07 February 2023– The second volume of the South African based disinformation comic book,‘Nkosana Our Brave Hero!’, was launched on Safer Internet Day to strengthen child and youth agency to tackle mis and disinformation that permeates today’s society.
The comic book, supported by Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) and UNICEF South Africa, is the result of the incredible work of nine ‘Article 12’ members (Web Ranger Ambassadors who have a special interest in policy work), who came together to develop the comic book that will empower children to combat disinformation and encourage a media environment where children are more responsible and engaged.
Phakamile Madonsela, MMA’s Public and Media Skills Development Manager, speaking at a Safer Internet Day event in Gqeberha, shared her excitement by saying, “The second volume is explosive, the way in which Article 12 are able to capture the complexities of their experiences as children confirms Article 12’s mandate. South Africa needs to hear more from children, and their participation needs to be prioritised.”
MMA and Web Ranger partners conducted five training sessions with youth to introduce them to the project, highlight expectations, as well as to train them on mis and disinformation. As an organisation that believes in universal access to and positive engagement with the internet, MMA together with UNICEF South Africa provided learners with data for training and engagement purposes. With the guidance of MMA staff and cartoonist, Gushwell Brooks, they created the second comic booklet.
”Children and youth are on the frontlines of being exposed to mis and disinformation both online and in everyday interactions offline,” said Christine Muhigana, UNICEF South Africa Representative. “But children and young people are increasingly questioning the information they receive, and this comic book provides another resource to help them cope and sieve out mis and disinformaton,” added Muhigana.
South African readers can look forward to a colourful, easy to read book with a powerful storyline, while increasing their awareness and understanding of mis and disinformation.
Notes to Editors:
For further information, please contact:
Phakamile Madonsela, phakamilek@mma.org.za; 011 788 1278
About MMA
Media Monitoring Africa‘s vision is a responsible, quality media that enables an engaged and informed citizenry in Africa and across the world. MMA aims to promote the development of a free, fair, ethical and critical media culture in South Africa and the rest of the continent. To achieve MMA’s vision, the three key areas that MMA seeks to address through a human rights-based approach are: media ethics, media quality and media freedom.
For more information about MMA and its work for children visit www.mediamonitoringafrica.org
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About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org
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