The African Union (AU), the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and the University of Johannesburg have announced a partnership to enhance journalism training under the AU Media Fellowship to strengthen African journalism in a rapidly changing media environment by adapting and contextualising UNESCO’s globally recognised journalism resources to Africa’s realities.
The initiative will adapt at least five of UNESCO’s international journalism handbooks to address Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities. These include modules on misinformation and fact-checking, critical media and information literacy, reporting on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, coverage of migrants and refugees, and reporting on terrorism and extremism. The approach emphasises practical application, regional relevance, and inclusivity, ensuring that both male and female journalists from across the continent benefit from the programme.
A key component of the project will be the creation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) newsroom model to help African media organisations integrate Artificial Intelligence into editorial workflows responsibly and effectively. This model will showcase practical applications, such as AI-assisted research, automated fact-checking, audience analytics, and workflow optimisation, all underpinned by ethical guidelines and strong editorial oversight.
Meanwhile, the University of Johannesburg will lead on curriculum design and evaluation, while UNESCO will provide technical expertise and share international best practices. The African Union, on its part, will leverage its continental reach to maximise participation and adoption of the training program.
By localising content, embracing digital innovation, and fostering collaborative networks, the partnership aims to empower African journalists to produce accurate, inclusive, and impactful stories that strengthen public trust in the media and promote democratic governance across the continent
The African Union Media Fellowship will serve as the platform for rolling out this initiative, with selected fellows trained as “master trainers” who will cascade their knowledge within their newsrooms and across national media networks. The project will also ensure regional representation and gender balance while working with the Pan-African University to make the self-paced course available to media professionals outside the fellowship programme, thereby broadening its impact and sustainability
By combining resources and expertise, the African Union, UNESCO, and the University of Johannesburg are setting a new benchmark for journalism training in Africa. The initiative not only addresses immediate challenges such as misinformation and digital transformation but also builds long-term capacity for African media to thrive in a fast-changing information landscape. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to strengthening journalism as a pillar of democracy, accountability, and inclusive development across the continent.
