On Friday 3 May 2024, to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day 2024 of the United Nations, students in Communications and Journalism at the University of Mauritius in collaboration with Christina Meetoo organised a seminar on “Building Stronger and More Exciting Journalism for Mauritius”.
During the seminar, Christina and I made a joint presentation on one of our collaborative projects, ElectionsMauritius.com. This website was launched in 2014 during the general elections, was updated in 2019 and is in need of being revamped for the upcoming elections of 2024. The websites shows all constituencies, parties, candidates and their online presence (website, social network accounts, photos, etc.) The website, which has been working for ten years now without interruption, has a substantial number of visitors and this number is increasing on a daily basis.
Christina and I encouraged the students to contribute to ElectionsMauritius.com by supplying data on nomination day and on the day the results are released. We also asked the audience what kind of additional features and information they would like to have on the website. People mentioned fact-checking of what is being said by candidates as well as tracking of proposals made in electoral programmes. Both are very interesting.
During the seminar, we had a great presentation by Khalil Cassimally, the Head of Audience Insights at The Conversation as well as talks and videos by past winners of the Africa Fact-Checking Awards. We also enjoyed a video on the history of the press in Mauritius by a past student. A big thank you to the organisers and the audience. I really enjoyed making a presentation with Christina at the University of Mauritius.
(Bravo to Lloyd Lallmamode, Jatin Ramlowat, Vivek Bhunjun, Vanshika Pochun, Mansha Deenoo, Preetish Kishto, Diksha Caulleechurn, Joomun Taysiir, Lorynia Potage, Amanda Elizabeth and Amtul Kafee Taujoo, all of them currently students in Communications and Journalism.)
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