Hundreds Gather in Kirehe for Campaign on Digital Literacy and Critical Thinking

By The Inspirer writer.

Today, July 30, 2024, more than 500 citizens attended a street event in Kirehe District to promote responsible freedom of expression and enhance digital media literacy while eradicating fake news in the community.

This event, titled “Street Event Mass Campaign on Critical Thinking, Access to Public Information Law, and Analysis of Digital Media Content,” was organized by the Great Lakes Initiative for Human Rights and Development (GLIHD) in partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) and funded by the European Union (EU).

The campaign is part of a three-year project known as “Protecting and Promoting Responsible Freedom of Expression, Enhancing Access to Information and Improvement of Digital Media Literacy in Rwanda (PPRFR)”.

This project, referred to as “Ijwi Riranguruye ry’Itangazamakuru” (IRI) in Kinyarwanda, seeks to empower Rwandan citizens to critically assess and confidently engage with digital content.

The rapid expansion of the internet and digital media in Rwanda has led to a surge in media outlets, including radio, TV, social media, and freelance platforms. While this growth provides a wider space for expression, it also presents challenges.

Many Rwandans, despite having internet access, lack the necessary digital media literacy skills to critically evaluate the information they consume. Consequently, they are vulnerable to manipulation, disinformation, and unethical content created by some media practitioners and digital content creators.

Umulisa Husna Vestine emphasized the importance of the event as a cornerstone in fostering a well-informed and critically engaged society.

As digital media continues to evolve and become an integral part of our lives, she highlighted the necessity for citizens to develop the skills needed to navigate this landscape responsibly.

“By promoting responsible freedom of expression and enhancing digital media literacy, we aim to build a community that is resilient against misinformation and disinformation,” she said.

“Your active participation today shows your dedication to becoming informed citizens who can discern fact from fiction, ensuring that our digital spaces are used for constructive and positive engagement. Together, we can create a safer, more informed digital environment for everyone.” Umulisa added.

The event addressed these issues head-on. Through interactive sessions and expressive arts like participatory theatre, the campaign aimed to highlight the importance of critical thinking in consuming digital media, addressing common issues such as misinformation and fake news. It provided tools and strategies to evaluate digital content critically, including recognizing bias, identifying reliable sources, and questioning the credibility of information.

The campaign fostered a culture where individuals engage in thoughtful analysis and verification of digital information, equipping the public with skills to identify and challenge misinformation and disinformation, thereby reducing their spread and impact. Ultimately, it aimed to empower individuals to make informed decisions based on accurate and reliable information, crucial for personal well-being and participation in democratic processes.

Participants left the event with improved critical thinking skills, a heightened awareness of digital media issues, and a stronger sense of empowerment to navigate the digital landscape responsibly. The campaign also aimed to reduce the spread of misinformation and create a more informed public, ultimately leading to better societal outcomes.

The event attracted a diverse group of participants, including students, youth, educators, parents, senior citizens, community leaders, digital content creators, digital ambassadors, and local authorities responsible for information dissemination.

With the success of today’s event in Kirehe, GLIHD continues to advance its mission of creating a knowledgeable citizenry capable of critical engagement with digital media, thereby strengthening Rwanda’s digital literacy and promoting responsible freedom of expression.

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