MKK2013: Raising our voices – taking control of the media

The past September school holidays saw Bush Radio host a very successful Media Kidocracy Konfrence (MKK2013) – 22 to 27 September 2013. This was the 13th conference which drew young people from Bontheheuwel to as far away as Germany, participating in various discussions and productions around the theme “the role of media in democracy“.

The conference took place at the beautiful Mizpah Conference Centre in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve near Grabouw.

Team 1 of the photography group dealt with sexism and sexist stereotypes

Besides plenary sessions which dealt with media literacy, gender and elections, the conference also included visits to various media outlets around Cape Town (radio, television, print and online) and a special “give back to the community” outreach session at Agape 2 – home for disabled and abandoned children. The conference also included lifeskill sessions on active citizenship and substance abuse as well as daily outside broadcasts from Grabouw.

Team 2 of the photography group dealt with nature and pollution

The conference programme closed with what delegates always consider a highlight; the intensive production workshops which this year again included: television, radio, online, print, photography as well as two new productions; t-shirt and poster printing and a stage drama.

Click here for the radio programme: “The Role of Media in elections and democracy”

 

Some of the MKK2013 t-shirts and posters on display

Bush Radio would like to thank the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Media Africa (FES Media – Africa) for their invaluable support to be able to run the conference as well as the Whale Coast Media Monitor – John Matthews and team, Independent Elections Commission Western Cape (IEC WC) – Courtney Sampson, Chris Balie and team and Trevor Davids, Democracy Development Programme (DDP), Charles King, Damelin, Voice of the Cape, CTTV, The Daily Voice, Community Policing Forum Mitchells Plain (CPF), Assitej, Independent Newspapers – Vusi Baloyi, South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (SANCA), Legend Ten Motion Pictures – Lydon Campbell, Gender Steps, Shariefa’s Catering and Mizpah conference centre.

A special thanks goes to all the Bush Radio Children’s Radio Education Workshop (CREW) facilitators and volunteers as well as the Bush Radio staff and trainees who provided the logistical support for the conference.

Bush Radio staff checking out “Media on the Move” – the newspaper produced by MKK2013 delegates

Related: Media conference empowers youth for the 13th year #MKK2013

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Media conference empowers youth for the 13th year #MKK2013

A Bush Radio 89.5FM project, the Media Kiodcracy (kid+democracy) conference is taking place from the 22nd – 27th September in Grabouw. MKK is a youth media conference for participants aged 12 – 18 years and provides them with skills and knowledge to produce various forms of media. This year, MKK will produce radio, television, photography, online, drama and art. Two newspapers will also be produced, one before, and one during the conference.

The theme for this year’s conference is “The Role of Media in Democracy”.

The Managing Director of Bush Radio, Brenda Leonard said that “MKK is taking place in a historic year for media in South Africa. Bush Radio is celebrating 20 years since its first illegal broadcast, and 18 years of legal broadcasting. The National Community Radio Forum (NCRF) is also celebrating 20 years of its existence.“

Bush Radio initiated the then Radio Kidocracy Konference, which changed to the Media Kidocracy Konference in 2006. Initially it started as a conference where children could talk about issues and policies in broadcasting affecting them directly, to make their voices heard. With the changing landscape of media in South Africa, we decided to include other forms of media in 2006, and with this, the Media Kidocracy Konference (MKK) was born.

Delegates are expected from community radio stations across South Africa, youth groups and schools, and will include over 90 youth participants.

Today, MKK as an opportunity for youth to reflect their views on the issues on the table, discuss how the media portrays these issues, and then produce the type of media that talks directly to the youth. The skills and information they gain over the five days is part of, not only strengthening their knowledge and skill set, but also strengthening democracy in South Africa.

Partners for this year’s conference are: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Media Development and Diversity Agency and Whalecoast Monitor

Background on MKK

As part of a growing need for youth participation in the decision-making process and policy formulation around children’s broadcasting, in 2000 Bush Radio initiated a conference. The Kidocracy (Kid-democracy) name was created for the event – to denote a form of society characterised by social equality and acceptance of young people with representation for and by young people.

The Media Kidocracy Konference aims to establish critical awareness and understanding among young people by exposing youth to information and experiences that will enable them to identify issues they feel are relevant, as well as explore their role in media and social issues. MKK also assists participants in devising strategies for addressing social issues by using the media as a tool to help resolve and address these issues.

Related:

WIMPS.tv – WIMPS – Karen reports from the Media Kidocracy Konference in South Africa

UNICEF Media Kidocracy Photo Essay

MKK 2009 presents a bright future

Young people taking charge of media (MKK 2012)