What we are reading this week
An occasional column on the stories on media innovation that are intriguing, engaging or alarming us
Media Monitoring Africa | Analysis of covid-19 media coverage
In its second report on analysing South Africa’s media coverage of the pandemic, the Media Monitoring Africa, surveyed 40 news media and found that the dominant voice in the media is that of government. The bi-weekly brief analyses, mainly looking at aspects including who is speaking in coverage, dynamics on gender and race representations and the collective number of articles published.MMA suggests that it would be prudent for the media should aim to include more voices from both ordinary members of the public, especially women and young people but also more medical experts on the issue of covid-19 and its consequences.
Quartz Africa | How TikTok is snapping up Africa’s social media market
TikTok has become a major platform for brands looking to monetize user attention, especially that of Gen Z audiences. Various brands including the Washington Post have taken to the social media platform with creative ideas for brand exposure. TikTok’s largest user base in Africa is Gen Z and millennials, according to TikTok representatives. With a youth population that is expected to double by 2055 TikTok may become the core marketing tool for brands in Africa as it has in China and the United States.
Associated Press | The AP Style Book
The latest Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law is now available. This 55th edition includes more than 200 new and revised entries; a new chapter on digital security for journalists, helping journalists “secure their devices, online accounts and reporting material to protect their work and sources and avoid online harassment” and a new entry on the coronavirus. To help with coverage of the coronavirus and COVID-19, The Associated Press has prepared a guide to help newsrooms.
