Africa’s bid to improve journalists’ working environment

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ACCRA - The African Media Convention (AMC) has adopted ten recommendations to create an enabling environment for the development of the media in Africa.  

This was at the 3rd annual AMC, which convened in Accra, Ghana from May 15th to 17th under the theme: “Enhancing freedom, innovation, and environmental sustainability in a dynamic media landscape.”

The resolutions cover African media strategy, media literacy, application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), safety of journalists, media freedom, and dissemination of relevant media content.  (10 resolutions in the box below) 

President Afuko-Addo called upon the media to take a lead role in the fight against the destruction of the environment.

AMC is a collaborative initiative supported by African media stakeholders, to reflect on the fundamental role of journalism on the continent, celebrate the fundamental principles of media freedom, and promote access to information, journalists’ safety, and media viability in the African Union (AU) member states.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Afuko-Addo said his country had carried out several reforms including repealing the law on criminal libel and passing the Right of Information Access Act 2019 for the media to do its work.
 
“Repealing the criminal libel law has positively impacted the development of Ghana’s media and contributed to a vibrant media unparalleled on the continent,” he said. He pointed out that the media law reforms in the West African country had empowered journalists.

Leslie Richer, AU Director of Information and Communication (C), with Lydia Gachungi (L), UNESCO Regional Advisor, and Faith Adhiambo (R), the AU communication officer.

He, however, reminded journalists that they are a vehicle of information and a catalyst of change and urged them not only to pay attention to accuracy but also integrity and ethical standards. 

President Afuko-Addo called upon the media to take a lead role in the fight against the destruction of the environment.

“Climate change is here. The media has a critical role and power. Amplify the voices of those affected by climate change,” he advised.“Environmental sustainability should be the heart of the media.” 

He also urged the media to weave a coherent narrative and help society envisage a sustainable future. 

AMC was conceived in 2021 by the Eastern Africa Editors Forum. The inaugural convention was held the following year in Arusha. Since then, it has become an annual gathering for media professionals, policymakers, academics, civil society, and media development partners to deliberate on media issues in Africa. The 2nd AMC was held in Lusaka, Zambia in 2023. 

The 3rd AMC sitting in Accra was told by President Afuko-Addo in May 2024, to take the proactive role to educate the public on environmental issues. 

“It is essential to instill the culture of the sustainability of the environment,” he stressed.

The President also cautioned the convention about the challenges presented by digital technology.  He said although AI can enhance efficiency by automating routine tasks and allowing journalists to focus on complex assignments it could be a source of fake news.

“Be vigilant of the potential threat of AI. It can be a source of fake news- misinformation and disinformation,” he warned. He asked media professionals to use AI responsibly and ethically urging AMC to adopt ethical practices.

Held in Accra International Confrence Centre, the 2024 convention was sponsored by several media stakeholders including the African Union, UNESCO, and the Government of Ghana.  

During the opening ceremony, Leslie Richer, the Africa Union director of information and communication commended AMC for standing out as a forum for advancing media freedom, innovation, and sustainability.

President Afuko-Addo also urged the media to weave a coherent narrative and help society envisage a sustainable future. 

She observed that AMC was growing and gaining traction and on track to position the African media in the global media landscape.

“The AMC is a game changer and I believe in the fullness of time, probably sooner rather than later this will be where the world’s media will need to be,” she said. “So, congratulations to the African Editors Forum and various associations of media and journalists across the continent for the determination to ensure AMC is where the African media industry in its fullest definition can assemble.”   

She told the convention that with the evolving technology and digital media landscape, the narratives about Africa and Africans are even more important. For this reason, she said that AU had started the African Union Media Fellowship to mentor journalists and content generators to focus on the issues on the continent from the African perspective.
 
“In today’s digital age, the power of the media is undeniable. From news outlets to social media platforms, we are constantly bombarded with information,” she said. “However, with this influx of content comes the need for critical thinking skills and discernment. This is where media literacy plays a crucial role.”

Richer explained that media literacy is not just about understanding how to use various forms of media, but also about being able to analyse, evaluate, and create relevant messages that can promote action and have an impact.  

“Media literacy empowers individuals to navigate the complex landscape of information with confidence and clarity and plays a key role in fostering informed citizenship,” she pointed out.

She stressed that citizens should be able to access accurate and reliable information in order to make informed decisions about their lives and communities.

“The media literate professionals act as the bridge to media illiterate citizens by equipping individuals with the tools to separate fact from fiction, discern bias, and recognise propaganda and amplified propaganda,” Richer said. 

Also speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, director of the UNESCO Liaison Office to AU thanked Ghana for its commitment to media freedom and the safety of journalists.  

Bissoonauth who is also the director of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the National Office for Ethiopia said the commitment is seen through the country’s membership to the various international coalitions promoting freedom of expression, access to information and safety of journalists. 

She also added that “the fact that Ghana will later this year host global celebrations of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, having previously hosted the global celebrations of the World Press Freedom Day, is a sign that Ghana is a centre of gravity in Africa when it comes to promoting media freedom, access to information and safety of journalists.” 

She stated UNESCO’s position on the freedom of expression as a public good and its link to the preservation of the planet and the vitality of democracies in the world.

Bissoonauth added that the UN body’s initiatives across Africa aim to harness the transformative power of the media to foster sustainable development, peace, and democracy.  

She informed the convention that UNESCO will soon launch a programme to enhance the safety of journalists and expand media education on environmental issues. This is in response to research findings revealing that 70% of environmental journalists have been attacked due to their work over the years. 

“UNESCO is launching new initiatives dedicated to enhancing the safety of journalists and expanding media education on environmental issues, ensuring that those at the frontline of reporting are not only protected but also empowered,” Bissoonauth said.

“Let us draw inspiration from UNESCO’s dual commitment to upholding press freedom and addressing the climatic crisis through informed fearless journalism.”

The 4th AMC host is yet to be decided. There are two contenders Ethiopia and Morocco. 

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10 resolutions

1. Develop a Pan-African Strategy on Media and Information Literacy.

2. Develop a comprehensive capacity-building program for the African media focused on Artificial Intelligence. 

3. Form a multi-stakeholder coalition and devise joint efforts to engage in and leverage the 2024-2025 Universal Periodic Review (UPR), APRM Voluntary Self-Assessments, and the AU African Governance Report at national, subregional, and regional levels.

4. Facilitate movement building, campaign, and coalition to ensure that the online safety of female journalists remains a priority for all key stakeholders.

5. Coordinate the establishment of a network of press freedom organizations monitoring and documenting press freedom threats and violations to facilitate information exchange and joint advocacy strategies, including against impunity for crimes committed against journalists.

6. Coordinate engagements with state-led mechanisms like the Media Freedom Coalition and the Freedom Online Coalition as mechanisms to push for state accountability for crimes against journalists.

7. Coordinate a joint submission and meaningful engagement by and of media stakeholders on the African Union AI Strategy.

8. Advocate for the utilization of international standards on freedom of expression in implementing licensing and accreditation regimes to ensure that they are not weaponized to restrict and criminalize journalism.

9. Coordinate the mobilization of journalists and resources to enhance the quality and coverage of environmental and climate change issues in Africa by leveraging AI and technology, and establishing a media fund dedicated to climate reporting.

10. Building capacity to produce and disseminate relevant and accessible media content, particularly in Indigenous, lesser-used, minority, and sign languages.