Shaping the Future of Journalism and Media Regulation in Africa

 

Panelists during one of the session at the summit, Photo: NIMCA

Media regulators, practitioners, and policy experts from across Africa and beyond converged in Arusha for the 2nd Pan-African Media Councils’ Summit, a three-day forum aimed at strengthening journalism through robust media and communication regulation.

The Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA), a continental body of independent press councils, hosted the summit under the theme ‘Advancing Media and Communication Regulations for Journalism Excellence in Africa.’

The summit brought together media stakeholders and policy makers to rethink media regulatory frameworks that uphold ethics and to address challenges that are eroding media and journalism profession in the face of rapid digital transformation.

Welcoming the gathering, Ernest Sungura, Executive Secretary for Tanzania Media Council and Chairperson of the independent media council’s body stressed the urgency of revisiting media regulation in light of emerging challenges such as the digital disruption and artificial intelligence. 

“This summit offers a vital platform to reaffirm our shared commitment to ethical journalism, grounded in African values,” Sungura said. “To meet today’s challenges, we must innovate regulatory approaches while protecting media freedom and integrity in this digital era.”

Sungura also noted the challenge that content moderation has brought into the media and information ecosystem. While appreciating its pivotal role in shaping online interactions, he said it has brought multifaceted challenges in the vast and dynamic digital landscape which as a result has eroded the trust in the journalism profession.

Marking the official opening of the conference, Tanzania’s Vice-President Dr Philip Mpango cautioned media councils in Africa to rise to rebuild the trust and integrity in journalism.

The credibility of the media has been invaded with disinformation, hate speech and unethical journalism, particularly through digital platforms, this is eroding public trust and threatening the future of independent media across region, said the Vice President.

The Vice President called for urgent reforms in media regulation frameworks and the need to uphold strong accountability mechanisms.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communications and Information, warned of growing threats to media freedom caused by technological disruptions and economic instability. He called for greater support for media councils and collective efforts to uphold journalistic integrity.

“Media regulation cannot be left to one institution, it requires shared responsibility, innovation, and ethical leadership across the board.” Dr Jelassi said

In her address through a published statement, Ourveena GeereeshaTopsy-Sonoo, Commissioner at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights commended the establishment of the NIMCA, whose core values include freedom of expression and accountable media.

The commissioner, while agreeing that independent media and quality journalism are considered to be watchdogs of a democratic society has also emphasized that a key aspect of media independence is the ability to regulate itself.

While highlighting the critical role played by independent media councils in promoting media self-regulation mechanisms which are independent from government, the statement calls on states and governments to guarantee the safety of journalists, building the capacities of journalists and policymakers, and to take legal and other measures to investigate and prosecute attacks against journalists.

Media Experts have contributed to the discussions shaping a collaborative and context-specific regulatory agenda for African media in the digital age.

Making his contribution Mr. David Omwoyo, CEO of the Media Council of Kenya, stressed the need for inclusive regulation involving governments, media practitioners, and civil society. He advocated for public funding for media, saying journalism must be treated as a public good, independent from political interference.

Other activities during the summit included high-level panel discussions and technical workshops focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism, data protection and digital privacy, countering disinformation and misinformation, and promoting diversity and inclusion in media institutions.

The summit is seen as a landmark moment for aligning media regulation with the fast-evolving realities of the industry while safeguarding the values of independent, ethical journalism.

The summit also included NIMCA’s first Annual General Meeting, aimed at enhancing the role of independent media regulators across the continent.