Arusha hosts Pan-African media councils’ summit amid rapidly evolving media landscape

The three-day summit, themed “Advancing Media and Communication Regulations for Journalism Excellence in Africa,” brings together key stakeholders to reflect on the future of journalism, reimagine regulatory frameworks, and strengthen public trust and professionalism in the media industry.

Opening the summit, Ernest Sungura, Chairperson of the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA), emphasized the urgent need for innovative regulatory approaches that can effectively respond to emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and content moderation, all while upholding African values.

He noted that the summit presents a timely opportunity for regulators, media practitioners, and thought leaders to recommit to ethical journalism in an increasingly complex media environment.

David Omwoyo, CEO of the Media Council of Kenya, reinforced this message by highlighting the importance of inclusive regulation that involves government, media professionals, and civil society.

He underscored that the media serves as a public good and should therefore be publicly funded—though safeguarded from political influence to maintain its independence and integrity.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communications, cautioned against the growing threats to media freedom and public trust brought about by technological disruptions and financial instability.

He called for increased support and funding for media councils, stressing that no single institution can uphold media integrity on its own. Instead, he advocated for collaborative efforts that balance innovation with ethical standards.

The summit also marks the first Annual General Meeting of NIMCA, providing a platform to consolidate efforts in promoting independent media regulation across Africa.

Delegates will engage in high-level panel discussions, technical workshops, and a Policy and Power Ministers’ Roundtable, which will include participation from ministers of Tanzania and Zambia.

Throughout the summit, participants will explore critical issues shaping today’s media environment, including the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism, the importance of data protection and digital privacy, strategies to combat misinformation and disinformation, and the need to advance diversity and inclusion within media institutions.

These discussions will benefit from a wide range of perspectives drawn from experts across Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Kenya’s delegation, coordinated by the Media Council of Kenya, is actively participating in the summit, joining efforts to chart a forward-looking and collaborative approach to media regulation that reflects Africa’s unique needs and aspirations in the digital age.