Youth Consumption of the New Media

There is something really inspiring about how this generation is embracing the New Media to liberate themselves and others from ignorance and injustice. Listening to Shiv Bhaskar Dravid founder of The Viewspaper and Maria Sadovskaya, of European Radio for Belarus speak during the youth session of WPFD 2011, and seeing how committed everyone were, including Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizada in Azerbaijan who shared their views via Skype towards maximizing the platform, it reaffirmed the fact that the new media despite its many limitations has more potential in fostering a free and progressive society than other platform!

The experience has totally boosted my commitment to ensuring that young people in my sphere of influence have as much access to information as possible. After all, an informed generation is an empowered generation.

In the part of the world where I grew up, the norm is for young people to be relegated to the background. Until now, we did not realize how powerful our voices are and how by using it positively, we can actually influence decision makers to create positive change. The New Media is here, and its rippling effect is what we are witnessing every where- from Egypt to Tunisia etc.

Young people are beginning to realized nothing will change by being subservient and mum in the face of injustice and corruption. Young people are embracing the digital media to raise their voices and mobilizing support locally for positive social impact- The Enough is Enough campaign in Nigeria is an example of this.

We must not take our freedom of expression for granted. We must not be afraid to use our voice, wisely for the good of our society/mankind!

In case you missed it, read a quick summary of the session here

To view my power-point presentation on "Digital Natives: The New Media Generation", click here

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