Deep discussions, celebrations at July conference of African media councils
PICTURE: Delegates at the first African media councils conference, held in Cape Town in May 2024
Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa
Tanzania will host the International Conference of African Media Councils from 14 to 17 July at the Arusha International Conference Center, with the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, expected to open the event.
Among other special guests will be the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, who is to lead the 30th Anniversary Awards of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), which will also be celebrated at the conference.
Ernest S Sungura, Executive Secretary of the MCT and Chairman of the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA), will host the conference.
The Assistant Director General for Communications and Information at UNESCO, Dr Tawfik Jelassi, will be in attendance, along with ministers of media and communications and related industries from a number of African countries and regions, including
- William Kabogo Gitau (Minister of Information and the Digital Economy in Kenya)
- Professor Palamagamba Kabudi (Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports in Tanzania)
- Jerry Silaa (Minister of Communication and Information Technology in Tanzania)
- Dr Chris Baryomunsi (Minister of ICT and National Guidance in Uganda)
- Cornelius Mweetwa (Minister of Information and Media in Zambia), and
- Veronica M Nduva (Secretary-General of the East African Community)
More than 500 delegates are anticipated at the conference, which is being organised by the MCT in collaboration with NIMCA and the East Africa Press Councils (EAPC). Additionally, international meetings will be held alongside the conference with special mention of those involving the EAPC and the World Association of Press Councils (WAPC).
The theme is, ‘Advancing media and communication regulations for journalism excellence in Africa’, and the focus will be on three major aspects:
- challenges affecting the media industry, and how media councils worldwide are tackling these issues (professional discussions)
- media, communication and technology exhibitions to showcase innovation from media houses, public institutions and private organisations, and
- the 30th anniversary celebrations of the MCT, in which its members – including media houses and journalism institutions and schools – will reflect on how they have upheld professionalism and ethical standards in the industry
Sponsors of the conference include the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and UNESCO.
