Media are not just for and about people, but also with and by people.
RNTC considers social poverty - the inability of hundreds of millions of people to access information, education, health care or political power - as an important factor behind dependency and social exclusion in developing countries and countries in transition.
Media can play a significant part in supporting social progress and economic and political development. Media can inform and educate people so they can make informed decisions that help improve their lives. Media can offer a platform for dialogue and debate. THey can help foster social cohesion and bridge gaps between social groups. And media can contribute to an environment in which accountability is promoted and corruption counteracted.
To realize the potential of media, citizens and civil society organisations should have access to media. Not just as consumers of news and information, but as active contributors to social debate and dialogue. This is particularly important for vulnerable groups in society, who are often excluded from economic and social development.
Guess what? Among the courses I'm teaching now is "computer-assisted reporting". Though I never thought I would do it while at RNTC, everything is so different now. And you know where I'm getting my confidence and experience from! Thanks a great deal to RNTC.
Gerald Mwale, Zambia