Image: SuppliedAligned with its mission to advance authentic representation, social justice and critical thinking in media studies, the UWC Research Chair in Media Inclusion and Diversity recently hosted a comprehensive international working visit with academics, public broadcasters and media governance bodies from Flanders and South Africa.
This engagement, which included a two-day roundtable and key meetings at media hubs in Cape Town and Johannesburg, was dedicated to fortifying Digital and Media Literacy (DML) in education and the broader media landscape, successfully cultivating stronger international cooperation in this critical area.
The working visit was hosted in collaboration with Mediawijs, the Flemish knowledge centre for digital and media literacy. The engagements brought together a powerful collective of partners, including the Flemish Public Broadcaster (VRT)'s Education & Innovation Department, a researcher from Artevelde University College Ghent and Ghent University, as well as local leaders from the Press Council of South Africa (PCSA), the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), the South African public broadcaster (SABC), UWC's Faculty of Education and Co-Lab, as well as a researcher affiliated with Stellenbosch University. Together, these experts explored potential joint projects, plans and ideas to advance media literacy worldwide.
Driving Sustainable Research and Digital Inclusion
Image: SuppliedThe academic core of the event was co-chaired by me, as Co-Chair of Digital Media Inclusion and Diversity at UWC, and Andy Demeulenaere, coordinator at Mediawijs. I emphasised the importance of transforming research into sustainable, high-impact solutions that drive lasting change. At the Chair of Media Diversity and Inclusion, we conceptualise projects with industry support to address gaps and deliver sustainable outcomes for communities.
Meanwhile, Professor Leo van Audenhove, who is a Professor at VUB, an extraordinary professor at UWC, and joint holder of the UWC Chair in Media Inclusion and Diversity, highlighted the importance of digital inclusion in diverse societies.
“In a digital world, we must ensure no one is left behind,” he said. Reflecting on South Africa’s linguistic and cultural diversity, he explained that the media should represent all communities to strengthen inclusion. Professor Van Audenhove also advocated for media literacy to empower individuals to engage critically with digital content, particularly in “combating disinformation, misinformation, and cyberbullying”. This focus, he noted, will drive collaborative projects between South Africa and Belgium.
Image: SuppliedInnovative Models and Youth Engagement
Discussions focused on emerging trends such as ‘the rise of influencers in media and multimodal communication’, and challenges related to ethnic tolerance and discrimination in media. Dr Edward De Vooght, a key speaker from Artevelde University College Ghent, spoke about considering these issues when it comes to engaging youth in public debate.
“Journalists must understand how to make news relevant and accessible to young audiences,” he said. His research aims to strengthen local media’s capacity to support digital literacy and safety.
“We conduct research to better understand media ecosystems, and how people interact with information, including what influences them and what drives trust and factors that may make them vulnerable to mis- and disinformation.”
The workshop also featured innovative approaches to media education, including a standout project presented by Mediawijs. De Schaal van M (“The Scale of Media”) is a website-based initiative that targets children from Grade 6 to 12, teaching them to discern misinformation, disinformation, and fake news through age-appropriate resources. Integrated into some Belgian school curricula, the programme’s pre-bunking approach builds resilience against common disinformation narratives, offering a model for global adoption.
DML as a National Imperative
Image: SuppliedContributions from South African governance and civil society leaders underscored the urgent policy implications of DML. Dr Phathiswa Magopeni, the Executive Director of the Press Council of South Africa (PCSA) and a board member of the SABC, brought her extensive experience to the discussion on tackling information disorder.
“Information disorder, distrust and division are rising, and technology’s rapid evolution leaves people uncertain about what to trust,” she said. Magopeni called for robust media literacy programmes to support healthier media ecosystems, emphasising their role.
“We should build social cohesion and nation building mechanisms, that go beyond just saying this is how the media works. We’re currently trying to take a different approach, but it requires a lot of resources,” she added.
Further emphasising the societal role of DML, Convenor of the SANEF Education Sub-Committee, Asanda Ngoasheng, emphasised that while “media literacy empowers individuals to critically analyse and create content, navigating the complex digital landscape effectively... it is not enough, we need leaders to see through the impact in our local communities.”
Uyanda Siyotula from the SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition provided grassroots perspectives, asserting that teaching DML in South African school curricula, especially in underserved communities, would empower learners and parents to "identify credible information, engage responsibly online, and understand their rights, including the public broadcaster’s obligations to report on social issues and injustices”.
Extending Dialogue: Media Stakeholder Engagement
To ensure the collaboration translated into direct media industry impact, the delegation extended its engagement beyond the UWC campus.
The delegation travelled to Johannesburg for a high-impact meeting with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to discuss collaborative strategies for public broadcasting in the digital era. This engagement was crucial for the VRT’s Education & Innovation Department, which aims to establish a foundation for future content and educational initiatives. The delegation also visited Bush Radio in Cape Town, in recognition of the important role of grassroots media in digital literacy outreach efforts at the community level, ensuring solutions are context-sensitive.
These engagements mark a significant step toward global cooperation in media literacy, establishing concrete plans for joint projects between South Africa and Belgium to address digital inclusion, representation and resilience against misinformation. These cooperative efforts are designed to empower individuals and strengthen democratic media ecosystems worldwide.
*Professor Nkoala is the Co-Chair of Digital Media Inclusion and Diversity at UWC. Samane Mofokeng is an editorial assistant in the chair.
