More than 150 senior editors, newsroom leaders, and media executives across Africa have called for urgent structural reforms to safeguard information integrity and secure the future of independent journalism in Africa. The call was made during the Africa Editors Congress (AEC), convened by The African Editors Forum (TAEF) under the theme “Reclaiming Value, Rebuilding Trust, Redefining Sustainability.”
Held in Nairobi from February 23 to 24, 2026, the congress addressed growing concerns over platform dominance, fragile media business models, and the rapid evolution of digital repression. Participants emphasised that these pressures threaten both the sustainability of journalism and public access to credible information.
Opening the session, Mr Churchill Otieno, President of TAEF, underscored the central role of media freedom in democratic societies. “It is the foundation that allows journalists and news organisations to report without fear or favour, to investigate power, to inform citizens and to make our societies more just and accountable,” he said, while noting that many editors continue to face censorship, regulatory overreach, and personal risk.
Echoing these concerns, Ms Linda Bach, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Editors Guild, highlighted the growing influence of digital platforms on traditional media and called for “home-grown solutions” to address Africa’s unique challenges.
A key theme of the congress was the link between journalism and economic development. Dr Joshua Oigara, Regional Chief Executive for East Africa at Standard Bank Group, in his keynote speech, stressed that editorial integrity is directly tied to investor confidence. “As a banker, I see how the quality of African stories affects capital flow. Capital follows reliability. Good journalism is good capital. African media should tell African stories with rigour, nuance, and ambition; it does more than inform. It attracts capital. It catalyses opportunity. It builds trust,” he said, adding that trust in media underpins economic transformation.
Dr Oigara highlighted that while trust in Sub-Saharan African media remains high, 68% in Nigeria and 65% in Kenya, these figures are fragile in an era of AI-generated content. He emphasised that “information is infrastructure” and that Standard Bank remains a committed ally to underwriting quality journalism.
Presenting findings from UNESCO’s 2022-2025 global report, titled “World Trends on Freedom of Expression and Media Development: Journalism Shaping a World at Peace”, Ms Louise Haxthausen, UNESCO Regional Director for Eastern Africa, highlighted a troubling decline in freedom of expression worldwide, with global scores dropping by 10% between 2012 and 2024. In Africa, the decline stood at 4.12%, driven largely by a nearly 35% increase in media self-censorship.
“The combination of rising government pressure on media outlets, including increased control of dissenting narratives, the adoption of restrictive laws, and growing fear among journalists, has resulted in heightened self-censorship and reduced public access to independent and pluralistic information,” she said.
At the same time, increased digital access is reshaping the media landscape. About 1.5 billion people gained access to social media and messaging platforms between 2020 and 2025, while internet penetration in Africa reached 38% in 2024. This expansion presents opportunities for collaborative journalism and risks related to misinformation. Furthermore, nearly 60% of African countries now legally recognise community media, leading the global average of 49%.
Speakers also pointed to broader geopolitical dynamics influencing the media environment. Prof. Kwame Karikari, Founder of the Media Foundation for West Africa, described Africa as the “epicentre of a 21st-century scramble for resources” by global powers, urging editors to focus on long-term structural issues shaping the continent. Meanwhile, George Nyabuga of Aga Khan University emphasised the need for journalism that remains “trustworthy, relevant, and fit for purpose.”
Also, discussions led by UNESCO through its Social Media 4 Peace initiative focused on strengthening information integrity through platform governance, self-regulation, and media literacy. The discussions focused on self-regulation and co-regulation mechanisms that protect information integrity without undermining free speech. The sessions also underscored the importance of media and information literacy (MIL) to equip audiences with skills to navigate polarised digital spheres.
The congress concluded with a set of key recommendations, including stronger platform accountability to challenge algorithmic systems that prioritise sensationalism, greater investment in African-owned digital ecosystems and reinforced ethical standards, and a collective regional voice to secure fair compensation for journalists and ensure media policies align with international human rights standards.
Note that the Social Media 4 Peace (Phase II) project is a European Union-funded UNESCO initiative that seeks to strengthen the resilience of societies to potentially harmful content spread online, in particular hate speech inciting violence, while protecting freedom of expression and enhancing the promotion of peace through digital technologies, notably social media.
