It has been over a decade since Media Diversity Institute created the MA in Diversity and the Media in collaboration with the University of Westminster. This course seamlessly combines media theory and hands-on practical training in journalism related to social and cultural diversity, and is one of the most innovative graduate courses globally. During this decade, a lot has happened that has challenged the ways journalists report stories related to diversity: from the #MeToo and the Black Lives Matter movements, to the refugee crisis and the debates about religious freedom and expression.
As Aidan White, President of the Ethical Journalism Network, wrote in a recent article for MDI:
“Diversity will be on the news agenda more than ever in 2022, but how media will cover the story remains an open question. In the coming months – whether it’s through coverage of sport, the pandemic, migration, policing or community relations – journalists may have numerous opportunities to focus on the strengths of diversity, but given increasing polarisation in politics and public life this will be an enormous challenge.”
This month we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the MA in Diversity and the Media. Our speakers, Roza Tsagarousianou, Edmundo Bracho, Nathasha Fernando, Vivian Yap and Joy Francis, reflected on the developments in the sector and discussed the course’s importance with the audience taking part in a very vivid discussion. One thing that is certain, is that diversity is more relevant than ever and courses such as this MA can equip the future generation of journalists, media workers, academics and activists with the tools they need in order to advance journalism globally.
Our News
The past few weeks have been quite busy for our projects!
Media Diversity Institute Western Balkans published two reports that focus on the representation of young people in the Serbian media.
“Production and Distribution of Youth Oriented Content in Serbia” – a collaboration of the OSCE Mission in Serbia and Media Diversity Institute Western Balkans – focuses on media content targeting and produced by young people. It is the first report of its kind that looks at the role of TikTok in Serbia. You can download it by following this link.
“Youth in Media Mirror 2021” focuses on the models of reporting by youth websites on youth vaccination, mental health, and activism. It additionally analyses the gender dynamics and perspectives of Serbia’s YouTube scene. It is available in Serbian, and you can download it by following this link.
Reporting Diversity Network 2.0 has opened a call for project applications aiming to counter hate speech and improve representation of diversity. Follow this link to see if you are eligible and to find out more. The deadline for submissions is 21 February by 17:00 CET.
Muslim women and communities Against Gender Islamophobia in soCiety (MAGIC) has published its first monitoring of Belgian and Spanish media done in 2021! You can view them by following this link.
Get The Trolls Out: Sri Lanka held its first annual conference: Preserving the Digital Civic Space in Sri Lanka. You can read this Twitter thread by our partners Hashtag Generation for more information. You can also watch a recording of the panel ‘Social Media and Freedom of Expression’ in this link.
Project Podcasts
We are always excited to see the results of our projects! This month we would like to highlight three podcasts regularly produced by MEDIADELCOM, COVINFORM and by Get The Trolls Out!
MEDIADELCOM hosts a podcast which focuses on deliberative communication which is the core concept of this research project. You can listen and subscribe to the podcast by clicking on this link.
COVINFORM’s podcast ‘Beyond Numbers: COVID-19 Pandemic & Society’ explores the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that go far beyond physical health. You can listen to it by following this link.
Get The Trolls Out! works with Community Media Forum Europe for the production of podcasts and other audio-visual content that offer counter-narratives, analysis and broader perspectives to combat hate speech. You can learn more by clicking here.
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