Applications open for media literacy bootcamp for Caribbean media workers

Deadline: 31 MAY 2024

The Public Media Alliance — in collaboration with the Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC) and the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), with support from the UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean and the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) — will host an intensive day-long media and information literacy bootcamp for Caribbean media workers.

Media practitioners from Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago are invited to apply to attend this bootcamp. Over the course of the programme, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of media and information literacy (MIL) concepts, recognising their significance in journalism and society through practical examples. They will also develop news and digital literacy skills, learning to analyse media messages, identify biases, factchecking, and respond effectively to mis- and disinformation scenarios. Additionally, participants will acquire practical strategies for integrating MIL principles into their journalistic practices and outreach initiatives, enabling them to promote MIL across various media formats, audience demographics, and collaborative partnerships. By the bootcamp’s end, participants will be equipped to navigate the media landscape confidently and foster informed decision-making among their audiences.

This workshop will provide the opportunity for media stakeholders and female-focused NGOs to connect with their regional counterparts, examine their roles in the reporting of violence against women and girls, and devise regional strategies for covering violence against women and girls accurately, impartially, and responsibly. Participants will be able to contribute towards country-specific action plans, which will serve as useful tools for those working in the Southeast Asian media landscape.

This bootcamp will also provide the opportunity for media practitioners to connect with their regional counterparts and examine their roles in society as MIL stakeholders. In order to accommodate the often-hectic schedules of media workers, the bootcamp will feature a day’s worth of sessions split across two dates – Thursday 6 June and Thursday 13 June.

“We’re excited to be following up on our last media literacy project in the Caribbean and building upon the resultant recommendations. The programme will offer a healthy mix of theory and practice, and participants can expect a day’s worth of interactive activities, presentations, discussions, and team exercises,” said Desilon Daniels, PMA’s Project & Advocacy Coordinator.

“We’ve come to recognise the need for this type of training to be available to Caribbean media professionals, who are battling many of the challenges seen globally but without the same level of investment in fighting against them.”

For more information, eligibility criteria and to apply, please explore the application form below.

You can also read more about the project here.