Amid the chaos of war raging in the Middle East and in other parts of the world, another critical battle is unfolding online where embattled communities are uniting and forging a powerful resistance, sometimes against oppressive regimes.

In Bangladesh, digital activists organised protests that led to regime change in August 2024. In Kenya and in other African countries online and real-life protests have shaped people’s participation and created a movement against corrupt and unlawful leaders. In Europe including the Western Balkans, and in the Middle East and North African region projects driving youth activism and civic participation are being implemented to promote online media literacy and defend the value of constructive and responsible activism.

Register now, join MDI online event,on 31 October from 17.00-18.15 Jordan time (UTC+3) to meet young digital activists from Asia, Europe and Africa as well as other experts to discuss the power of social media to keep decision makers accountable and using digital tools in a responsible way.

Our speakers will share insights into the protests and the online media projects they are/have been involved with. 

“We are grateful to UNESCO for giving the MDI the opportunity to share experiences of involving young people’s voices in shaping their future.” – Milica Pesic, panel moderator, MDI Executive Director.  

“Rather than saying ‘Give me a place to stand and I will move the earth’ as boasted by the great Scientist, Archimedes, youths from GenZ have a social media place to stand, a digital identity to uphold and with it, they intend to shake the world” Olunifesi Suraj, speaker, Associate Professor of Mass Communication, University of Lagos. 

“Digital activism is not just about hashtags; it’s about diverse voices translating virtual solidarity into real-world change.” – Hana Kojakovic, speaker, MDI Get The Trolls Out ! Project Manager. 

“Online innovative storytelling allows for a wide range of voices to be heard, particularly from underrepresented communities.”- Yazan Abu al Rous, speaker, Salam Online Project Manager. 

“Chaite gelam odhikar, hoye gelam Razakar.” (Demanded rights, only to become Razakar.) – The July Uprising in Bangladesh began as a peaceful student protest for quota reform in government jobs but escalated into a national non-cooperation movement, ultimately leading to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and flight to India.” – Raheed Ejaz, speaker, diplomatic correspondent at Daily Prothom Alo.  

This online event is organised in the framework of the Global Media and Information Literacy Week Conference will be hosted by UNESCO and the Hashemite Kingdom on 30-31 October 2024 in Amman, Jordan. 

To interview our speakers, please contact Anthea Kasonga, MDI Communications team: anthea.kasonga@media-diversity.org 

Grammy-nominated Nigerian music artist Ayra Starr will perform a special YouTube Live concert streamed globally from Nairobi, Kenya.

This concert will offer fans an intimate experience as Ayra Starr will perform new tracks from ‘The Year I Turned 21” alongside other fan favourites.

The event, produced in partnership with Raha Fest, will celebrate the release of her sophomore album, ‘The Year I Turned 21”, and will be available for fans worldwide to experience on her official YouTube channel.

The event will be livestreamed on YouTube, giving audiences around the world, the chance to be part of this special moment. Fans, Mobstarrs, as she calls them will also have the opportunity to engage directly with Ayra Starr through the ‘Woman Commando” YouTube Shorts challenge, allowing them to create and share their interpretations of her hit single.

Additionally, exclusive behind-the-scenes content will be captured, adding another layer of excitement to the experience, which will be shared on YouTube.

Nairobi, with its vibrant music scene, deep roots in African culture, and a youth population that adores Ayra Starr, was chosen as the perfect setting for this electrifying performance. Ayra’s growing fan base across Kenya and East Africa makes the city a fitting backdrop for her first YouTube Live concert.

Speaking about the concert, Ayra Starr said, ‘Performing live is where I get to connect deeply with my fans, and I’m so excited to do this on a global scale from Nairobi. This album means so much to me, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone through YouTube.”

Fans all over the world can tune in to watch the concert live on October 20, 2024, at 9 PM EAT on Ayra Starr’s official YouTube channel: YouTube.com/AyraStarr.

Odumodublvck and Burna Boy lost their categories as Kendrick Lamar dominated the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards.

The award ceremony aired on Tuesday from Drai’s Beach Club Nightclub in Las Vegas.

The Afrofusion star lost the ‘Best Live Performer’ category to Missy Elliot, the US rapper, while Ghetts, the British songwriter, won Odumodublvck’s category.

Lamar, the US rapper, secured eight awards including ‘Hip-hop Artiste of the Year’, ‘Song of the Year’, ‘Lyricist of the Year’, and ‘Impact Track’.

50 Cent won the ‘Hustler of the Year’ while The Alchemist bagged the ‘Producer of the Year’ and ‘DJ of the Year’.

See the full list below:

• Hip-hop artiste of the year

21 Savage

Cardi B

Drake

Future

GloRilla

WINNER — Kendrick Lamar

Megan Thee Stallion

Nicki Minaj

• Song of the Year

“Agora Hills,” Doja Cat

“Bent,” 41 (Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, Tata)

“Fe!N,” Travis Scott feat. Playboi Carti

“FTCU,” Nicki Minaj

“Get It Sexyy,” Sexyy Red

“Like That,” Metro Boomin, Future, Kendrick Lamar

“Mamushi,” Megan Thee Stallion feat. Yuki Chiba

WINNER: “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar

“Yeah Glo!,” GloRilla

• Hip-hop album of the Year

American Dream, 21 Savage

Ehhthang Ehhthang, GloRilla

For All the Dogs Scary Hours Edition, Drake

In Sexyy We Trust, Sexyy Red

Megan, Megan Thee Stallion

One of Wun, Gunna

WINNER: Pink Friday 2, Nicki Minaj

Utopia, Travis Scott

We Don’t Trust You, Future & Metro Boomin

• Best Hip-hop video

“8 AM in Charlotte,” Drake

“Band4band,” Central Cee feat. Lil Baby

“Bent,” 41 (Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, Tata)

“Big Mama,” Latto

“Boa,” Megan Thee Stallion

“Enough (Miami),” Cardi B

WINNER: “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar

“Type Shit,” Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti

• Best Breakthrough Hip-hop Artiste

41

310babii

Bossman Dlow

Cash Cobain

Lady London

WINNER: Sexyy Red

Skilla Baby

Tommy Richman

• Best Collaboration

“At the Party,” Kid Cudi feat. Pharrell Williams & Travis Scott

“Band4band,” Central Cee feat. Lil Baby

“Bongos,” Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion

“Everybody,” Nicki Minaj feat. Lil Uzi Vert

“First Person Shooter,” Drake feat. J.Cole

WINNER: “Like That,” Metro Boomin, Future, Kendrick Lamar

“Mamushi,” Megan Thee Stallion feat. Yuki Chiba

“Wanna Be,” GloRilla feat. Megan Thee Stallion

• Best Duo or Group

¥$, Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign

2 Chainz & Lil Wayne

41 (Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, Tata)

Common & Pete Rock

Earthgang

Flyana Boss

WINNER: Future & Metro Boomin

Rick Ross & Meek Mill

• Best Live Performer

Burna Boy

Busta Rhymes

Cardi B

Drake

GloRilla

Kendrick Lamar

Megan Thee Stallion

WINNER: Missy Elliott

Nicki Minaj

Travis Scott

• Lyricist of the Year

21 Savage

Cardi B

Common

Drake

WINNER: Kendrick Lamar

Lil Wayne

Megan Thee Stallion

Nicki Minaj

• Video Director of the Year

20k Visuals

A$AP Rocky

Cactus Jack

Cole Bennett

WINNER: Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar

Dave Meyers & Travis Scott

Doja Cat & Nina McNeely

Offset

• Producer of the Year

Atl Jacob

Cash Cobain

Hit-Boy

Hitmaka

Metro Boomin

Pete Rock

Q-Tip

WINNER: The Alchemist

• DJ of the year

Big Von

DJ D-Nice

DJ Drama

DJ Khaled

Kaytranada

Metro Boomin

Mustard

WINNER: The Alchemist

• Best Hip-hop Platform

Bootleg Kev

WINNER: Club Shay Shay

Complex

Drink Champs

Million Dollaz Worth of Game

On the Radar

The Breakfast Club

The Joe Budden Podcast

The Shade Room

XXL

• Hustler of the Year

WINNER: 50 Cent

A$AP Rocky

Cam’ron & Ma$e

Cardi B

Drake

Fat Joe

GloRilla

Kendrick Lamar

Megan Thee Stallion

• Sweet 16: Best-featured Verse

21 Savage, “Good Good” (Usher, 21 Savage & Summer Walker)

A$AP Rocky, “Gangsta” (Free Nationals, A$AP Rocky & Anderson .Paak)

Cardi B, “Wanna Be” remix (Glorilla, Megan Thee Stallion & Cardi B)

Drake, “Meltdown” (Travis Scott feat. Drake)

J.Cole, “First Person Shooter” (Drake feat. J. Cole)

WINNER: Kendrick Lamar, “Like That” (Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar)

Lil Wayne, “Brand New” (Tyga, YG & Lil Wayne)

Megan Thee Stallion, “Wanna Be” (Glorilla, Megan Thee Stallion)

• Impact Track

“Blessings,” Nicki Minaj feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard

“Fortunate,” Common & Pete Rock

“Get in With Me,” Bossman Dlow

“Hiss,” Megan Thee Stallion

“Humble Me,” Killer Mike

WINNER: “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar

“Precision,” Big Sean

“Yeah Glo!,” GloRilla

• Best International Flow

SDM, France

Leys Mc, France

Racionais Mcs, Brazil

Budah, Brazil

WINNER: Ghetts, UK

Bashy, UK

Stefflon Don, UK

Maglera Doe Boy, South Africa

Blxckie, South Africa

Odumodublvck, Nigeria