The news media has a vital role as both a conduit and a filter of the news, writes Ibrahim Olalekan, 27, a Correspondent from Abuja in Nigeria, who argues the news media must exercise responsibility and standards in fulfilling that role. McQuail (2005) says that the term “gatekeeping” has been widely used as a metaphor to describe …

“Gate keeping in the Nigerian media” Read More »

The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games gave international attention to athletes, but Ashley Tan Yu Yi, 16, a Correspondent from Singapore, argues that unevenly split media attention means one group of athletes did not get the recognition they deserve. In the month of September, I noticed a significant difference in regard to how my Facebook page …

“Media coverage should not be the challenge” Read More »

by Diyaulhaq Bin Usman With the neglect of rural communities and the concentration of the ruling elites in urban centers alone, then development is nothing but a mere dream in a polity. Certainly no society can achieve its developmental goals without seriously addressing the issues of underdevelopment in the rural areas of that society. In …

“The media also neglects rural communities” Read More »

The power of online news works for benefit and for harm, writes Abdullah Al Hasan, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh. Social media can build solidarity for causes, but can also incite negatives when fake news manipulates the unwary. Life is now easier than before. We have been able to minimise most of …

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For centuries, the role of the press has been recognised as the Fourth Estate and as a forum for public discussion, writes Abhay Shah, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Siliguri in India. As World Press Freedom day approaches, he describes the balance that the media must strike in maintaining that role. Democracy cannot thrive in …

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The media plays an instrumental role in any democracy, and as such the freedom of the media is perhaps one of the most visible indicators of a functioning democracy, writes Victor Ndede, 21, a Correspondent from Eldoret, Kenya, as he examines the fundamental role of the media in the electoral process. One of the greatest …

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The media’s job is to challenge institutions on behalf of the public interest. But Aisha Anne Habiba, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Mombasa in Kenya, raises concern about restrictions on media curtail that ability. Media houses in Kenya are facing increasing pressure from ordinances that interfere with the concept of media freedom. Though Kenya has …

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World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on May 3 each year and Bismark Akoto, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Legon, Ghana argues that journalists in some countries are facing tremendous challenges as they play a crucial role in protecting democracy. It was around 5pm on February 5, 2019 when two unidentified gunmen stormed the premises …

“Under attack for the good work they do” Read More »