Caxton South staff impart journalistic knowledge to young minds

As part of community involvement, a team from Caxton Local Media offices had an insightful visit with the learners at Trinityhouse Glenvista who belong to a journalism club.

The team of journalists, Carina van der Walt (editor), Lucky Thusi (news editor), Elzaan Pienaar (senior journalist), and Simphiwe Malunga (journalist), who have a wealth of journalistic experience, provided much-needed direction for the growth of the school’s journalism club.

At least 15 learners from the club sat attentively as the Caxton staff took them through various aspects of the profession, touching base on fake news, the relevance of journalism in society, fairness and objectivity.

They also shed light on issues to avoid regarding publishing pictures of people with and without their permission and some general beginner tips.

Teacher Kelly McGill, who leads the journalism club, said the session was productive and helpful.

“I think it’s nice to get that link to the real world. I would like to do at least three publications a year. We aim to try and get a newspaper out that the kids look forward to, actually want to read, and are actively involved in engaging with the material we put out,” she explained.

Grade 11 learner Deeya Kalian said, “I found it insightful to have input from journalists covering different parts of the news. I think the only news we are exposed to every day is news feeds from our social platforms. This motivated people into actually reading the news again.”