Monrovia – A youth-led grassroots media initiative, Youth Media Action, is commending Internews-Liberia for the successful completion of the 2019 Media Hackathon.
This year’s hackathon brought together over 40 media practitioners and institutions, including Youth Media Action, FrontPageAfrica, Daily Observer, Sky FM/TV, Radio Gbarnga and Radio Life amongst others in a four-day intensive media training.
The exercise focused on social media especially Facebook with emphasis on effective Facebook management, moderation, using Facebook for professional journalism and how to build and increase Facebook audience amongst others.
The Executive Director of Youth Media Action, Varmah Kamara, said the media hackathon was an incredible opportunity and was in fulfilment of Sustainable Development Goal 16, which focuses on building strong institutions.
Kamara added that the training provided his organization the chance to learn and understand the proper usage of the social media especially the most widely used Facebook.
According to him, prior to the training, it was difficult for them to understand social media analytics, page moderation and YouTube channel management.
Mr. Kamara asserted that unlike the past, YMA now has the capacity to rapidly increase audience, launch a robust Facebook campaign, effectively and efficiently manage its official page and conduct professional live programs for press clubs in the various high schools.
The Youth Media Action Executive Director boasted that the opportunity will further enhance his organization’s activities in educating young people on how social media can be an effective tool for press clubs and student journalists.
He wants other international organizations to emulate Internews-Liberia’s example in educating and empowering local youth organizations for increase in productivity and a sustainable future.
Also speaking, Internews-Liberia Chief of Party, Jan McArthur said the activity is part of the organization’s way of strengthening the Liberian media.
Madam McArthur challenged the participants to use the knowledge acquired to make a difference in their respective organizations and communities.
She spoke at the climax of the four-day event where she recognized Youth Media Action for the outstanding performance during the training while her organization allocated US$50 for each participating organization to boost their Facebook page.
