In the end...

Khatija Nxedlana

What seemed to be a mammoth task at the outset, proved to be a truly rewarding experience. Working in a large group of 20 along with the community members from wards seven and eight we set out to solve one of the challenges the community faced. Our overarching theme was “emptiness” and “a lack” focussing on the youth. We split into smaller groups to produce content that would reach a wider audience, creating awareness and possible get aid from leadership in the wards and the municipality.

Our intentions too were to take the works produced back into the community disproving the notion of journalism students coming into the wards, taking stories and never looking back. Focussing on children specifically, our group organised a soccer tournament on Saturday the 2nd October. The event brought close to 100 children to the field, making the day a huge success. The children had fun and for a change escaped playing in rubbish dumps and graveyards. Being able to help out in a small way obviously made us very happy; however our hopes were for this sort of soccer day to continue every Saturday. One of the prises for the winning team was a soccer ball promoting regular soccer practice and tournaments.

Public journalism ensures that journalists become immersed into that which they are reporting. My view and understanding of the role of journalists has changed as a result of this process. Firstly, aside from radio, the CMP course has been the most practical course in Media Studies. I enjoy that because it enables you to learn first-hand. As much as I promote education in terms of text books and reading academic articles, I’ve always felt that real life experience is the best education. Secondly, the focus for the past three years has been solely on mainstream journalism which states that objectivity is something journalists should strive for amongst other things. This is not a bad thing at all, only that this process has taught me that journalists can be involved with the people they’re dealing with and not see them purely as subjects. At the same time, tell the truth, deliver the facts and a story that shows all sides involved.