Media Literacy and Culture of Reading project - the Evaluation Summit

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency - Honourable Obed Bapela will deliver a keynote address. Participants will include SABC Education, GCIS, Department of Basic Education, Department of Arts & Culture, Department of Communications, Gauteng Dept. of Education, SA Council of Educators, community and small commercial media, educators and learners from the beneficiary schools, Sentech, IAJ, Media 24, Mindset Network, AIP, NCRF, etc.

Literacy is the foundation of education, development and the improvement of local economies. The MDDA believes that this media literacy programme does not only promote the culture of reading but will brings media to the classrooms by offering an opportunity for young people to learn critical consumption of media and to raise their awareness of the role of the media in a democratic society. The long-term goal for MDDA and its partners is to see media literacy included in the school curriculum, rural schools producing their own media products and thereby promoting the culture of reading.

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.

On the evening of April 10th at 18h00, the MDDA will also be launching a research report on "Viability of Media Co-operatives in South Africa" which was commissioned in 2011 as part of the Agency's mandate to promote sustainability of the community and small commercial media projects.