Latin America

"Sin conexión": A comic book teaches media literacy in Guatemala

Abril, the comic hero, has been using a public computer but forgets to log out of Facebook, and turns her life upside down. "Sin conexión" ("Disconnected") was developed by Radio Sónica, a partner of DW Akademie.

Pioneer work: Media literacy in Guatemala

Together with the Institute for Radio Education (IGER) DW Akademie is pioneering media and information literacy (MIL) in Latin America. For the last 40 years, IGER has been offering distance-learning courses for the disadvantaged. Listeners learn with the help of programs developed by Radio Sónica, a station aimed specifically at young listeners.
Abril forgets to log out of Facebook

Radio Sónica sees itself as a Guatemalan media and information (MIL) "laboratory", offering radio programs and summertime radio courses that promote MIL. The station also experiments with comics, trains instructors and develops games they can use with students. "Sin conexión" is a comic format that shows young people how important data security is when using social media.
Abril's Facebook account is hacked

Abril doesn't notice her mistake until it's too late. "This can happen," says Edgar Zamora, editor-in-chief at Radio Sónica. "We decided to look at digital security after talking to young people. The comic illustrates the problem better than a long text would and we found it exciting to address a digital topic using a 'traditional' format," he adds.
Someone changes Abril's password

Radio Sónica experiments with formats like the "Sin conexión" comic. "The station has a unique concept: it gets young people involved and gives them a voice, which is something commercial stations don't do. Radio Sónica also takes up taboo topics that other media won't dare tackle," says Johannes Metzler, DW Akademie's Country Coordinator for Guatemala.
Abril uses only one password for all her accounts

Radio Sónica has found that when young Guatemalans are online they are often careless with their data and private sphere. "Abril is like the young people who listen to our station, follow us on social media or take part in our workshops. They really need skills for exercising their rights and creating new perspectives," says Edgar Zamora from Radio Sónica.
"I'm looking for a good-looking guy who wants to know my secrets."

The hacker posts on Facebook using Abril's name. Some users start mocking her and make jokes, asking her about her love life and other private things. But some friends are worried and want to know how she is faring and whether she'll regain control of her account.
Abril is distraught

The project aims to create skilled Internet users who want to take part in the digital society, says Johannes Metzler: "DW Akademie and its partners are continuing to promote media literacy in Latin America because if young people can express their concerns, it contributes to a freer society and counters pervasive violence," he says.

Pioneer work: Media literacy in Guatemala

Together with the Institute for Radio Education (IGER) DW Akademie is pioneering media and information literacy (MIL) in Latin America. For the last 40 years, IGER has been offering distance-learning courses for the disadvantaged. Listeners learn with the help of programs developed by Radio Sónica, a station aimed specifically at young listeners.
Abril forgets to log out of Facebook

Radio Sónica sees itself as a Guatemalan media and information (MIL) "laboratory", offering radio programs and summertime radio courses that promote MIL. The station also experiments with comics, trains instructors and develops games they can use with students. "Sin conexión" is a comic format that shows young people how important data security is when using social media.
Abril's Facebook account is hacked

Abril doesn't notice her mistake until it's too late. "This can happen," says Edgar Zamora, editor-in-chief at Radio Sónica. "We decided to look at digital security after talking to young people. The comic illustrates the problem better than a long text would and we found it exciting to address a digital topic using a 'traditional' format," he adds.
Someone changes Abril's password

Radio Sónica experiments with formats like the "Sin conexión" comic. "The station has a unique concept: it gets young people involved and gives them a voice, which is something commercial stations don't do. Radio Sónica also takes up taboo topics that other media won't dare tackle," says Johannes Metzler, DW Akademie's Country Coordinator for Guatemala.
Abril uses only one password for all her accounts

Radio Sónica has found that when young Guatemalans are online they are often careless with their data and private sphere. "Abril is like the young people who listen to our station, follow us on social media or take part in our workshops. They really need skills for exercising their rights and creating new perspectives," says Edgar Zamora from Radio Sónica.
"I'm looking for a good-looking guy who wants to know my secrets."

The hacker posts on Facebook using Abril's name. Some users start mocking her and make jokes, asking her about her love life and other private things. But some friends are worried and want to know how she is faring and whether she'll regain control of her account.
Abril is distraught

The project aims to create skilled Internet users who want to take part in the digital society, says Johannes Metzler: "DW Akademie and its partners are continuing to promote media literacy in Latin America because if young people can express their concerns, it contributes to a freer society and counters pervasive violence," he says.

Date 09.07.2019
Number of pictures 7
Author Patricia Noboa Armendariz, Eva-Maria Senftleben
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SPECIAL

Latin America

"Sin conexión": A comic book teaches media literacy in Guatemala

Pioneer work: Media literacy in Guatemala

Abril forgets to log out of Facebook

Abril's Facebook account is hacked

Someone changes Abril's password

Abril uses only one password for all her accounts

"I'm looking for a good-looking guy who wants to know my secrets."