Digital space play an important role in increasing productivity. Journalist use different Digital platforms that helps them in accessing different information that are useful in their career. Young female journalists got together to share how they are embracing the Digital media, challenges they face and why being in the Digital Space is important for female journalists. Read through as Dorice, Rebecca, Imani, Sauda and Penina share their thoughts.
Challenges in the digital space
Lack of understanding about cyber security; most female journalists are not aware of digital laws that govern them and can protect them, the knowledge about digital rights and security for instance how important it is to set up strong passwords and change them regularly after a month or two. Using the digital space is not a problem but how are you using it and what can you do when it is not safe? As Digital Citizens it is important every now and then to ask yourself these questions.
Misinformation and Disinformation; what to keep in mind is that, not all information found on social media is true. There is a problem of mixing information, for example having a headline of certain story and put a photo of another story, as a digital citizen one shouldn’t be quick to react to the information or be part of spreading it while knowing for a fact that what is written or what has been reported lacks truth.
Cyber bullying; the tendency of bullying female journalists has moved from offline to online, female journalists are threatened, insulted based on what they speak and are body shamed yet the media stays quiet about it, these incidents push women to be inactive in the digital space and less vocal about important pressing issues in the society for the fear of being bullied or sexually harassed.
Approaches to overcome Digital challenges
Fact checking; female journalist should fact check the information before share it on the internet like the source of information, the pictures before one start publishing to different Digital platforms
Provision of training; Digital journalist need to be trained on issues like Digital security, Digital rights and Digital laws and regulations that will help them to become more aware on how to use the Digital space safely.
Importance of Embracing Digital Media
Easy access of information; journalist use Digital platforms as a place for gathering different information, this helps them to know what is happening in the society and make a follow up in covering the real story.
Amplify digital inclusion; digital space needs to promote digital inclusion where it allows journalist to participate in digital platforms and access the opportunity that Digital space offer without looking at their gender.
Female journalists have the right to be in the space and to participate fully on different matters raised and discussed online, we need a generation that is vocal and can bridge the gender and digital inclusion gap.