Moving Beyond the Single Story: Combating Social Exclusion Through Media Literacy is a compelling intercultural project carried out in Malta, aimed at tackling the root causes of social exclusion through the power of media literacy and critical thinking.
Inspired by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s notion of the “single story”, this initiative challenges simplistic narratives that often dominate public discourse and marginalise vulnerable communities. Single stories—those one-dimensional portrayals of people or cultures—are frequently perpetuated through unchecked media and social bias. These narratives distort reality, reinforce stereotypes, and hinder social cohesion.
This 18-month initiative was co-authored by Maria-Gabriele Doublesin and Nadine Vassallo, and published as a collaboration between NWAMI International Malta (NIM) and the African Media Association Malta (AMAM). Under the leadership of Levi Lebbuin Jikong (Project Management Lead, AMAM) and Maria-Gabriele Doublesin (President, NIM), the project brought together diverse voices from both migrant and local communities.
The programme was delivered through a combination of panel discussions, Story Cafés, Stakeholder Roundtables, and immersive Edutainment Labs, creating spaces for dialogue, reflection, and learning. These activities equipped participants with media literacy skills, helping them critically assess information, dismantle prejudice, and reframe harmful narratives.
The project was supported by the acronym SMITE – Stereotypes & Mass Information Together Explored, which also plays on the Maltese verb smajt (“I/you heard”), symbolising the power of what we hear to shape how we think.
From digital platforms such as Zoom and Facebook to inclusive on-site venues in multicultural areas like Qawra and Valletta, the project used innovative outreach methods to maximise engagement and impact.
Excerpt:
“Single stories are incomplete stories that carry their own dangers because they are based on a limited perspective… This gives rise to misconstrued generalisations and conclusions and therefore leads to stereotyping, wrong concepts for policies, social exclusion, racism and, consequently, also wrong decisions.”
Editorial:
Book Authors:
- Maria-Gabriele Doublesin
- Nadine Vassallo
Publishing & Project Partners:
- NWAMI International Malta (Partner)
- African Media Association Malta (Project Lead)
- Project Media Support: Conway Wigg
- Layout & Artwork: Paul Giorgio (The Hive)
- Printing: Dormax Press
Funding Source:
The project was fully funded by the Iceland–Liechtenstein–Norway Grants through the Active Citizens Fund (ACF) Malta, part of the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014–2021.
In Malta, the programme is administered by SOS Malta, aimed at strengthening civil society, empowering vulnerable groups, and promoting inclusive democratic participation.