Paradigm Initiative (PIN) and the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University (SMC, PAU) have sealed a partnership aimed at increasing knowledge and skills in reporting and responding to digital rights and inclusion issues in Africa. This collaborative effort is aimed at equipping journalists with the expertise needed to effectively document and report on digital rights violations and advocate for inclusive digital spaces across Africa.
The partnership is part of PIN’s Digital Rights and Inclusion Media Programme (DRIMP) which encompasses media fellowships run collaboratively with academic institutions and sector experts. Through the programme, PIN partners with academic institutions and key digital rights experts to deliver capacity-building training sessions to early-career media practitioners and media students. DRIMP exposes relevant programme fellows to digital rights and inclusion, enhancing their ability to report and respond to any violations that may arise.
“Building a strong network of informed advocates and reporters is crucial for promoting and protecting digital rights in Africa and this collaboration marks a defining moment for the documentation of digital rights developments within Africa,” said Bridgette Ndlovu, PIN’s Partnerships and Engagements Officer. “Through this partnership with the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, we will empower media students to hold governments and the private sector accountable for upholding digital rights standards,” she said.
Commenting on behalf of SMC, PAU, Senior Lecturer at the School of Media and Communication, Dr. Nwachukwu Egbunike highlighted that the partnership is in line with SMC’s commitment to providing industry relevant skill sets to her students. The partnership will foster experiential learning, which is one of the cardinal teaching objectives of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos. .
“We are excited to partner with Paradigm Initiative. Equipping media students with the knowledge and skills to report on digital rights issues is essential for building a more just and equitable digital space in Africa,” Dr. Egbunike added.
The collaboration comes at a time when rapid digitalisation and adoption of digital policies is gaining traction in Africa. Through the partnership, PIN will provide technical facilitation on digital rights topics which include: Surveillance, data privacy and digital legislation in Nigeria and Africa. Media students at Pan-Atlantic University will publish research papers on digital rights and inclusion. PIN will also offer internship opportunities to a maximum of two interns to recommended outstanding students who are part of the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University programme per cohort. The Internship slots will allow student beneficiaries to learn from and contribute to PIN’s or any of its partners’ work.
