Call for proposals: Pan-African Media Councils Summit 2025

PICTURE: Stephen Tettey Atsu/Pexels

Network of Media Councils in Africa

The Pan-African Media Councils Summit 2025 Organising Committee invites researchers, academics, journalists, seasoned practitioners and media professionals to submit proposals for the presentation of researched papers.

The theme, ‘Advancing media and communication regulations for journalism excellence in Africa’, aims to explore critical issues impacting the media landscape in Africa and beyond.

It intends to focus on media independence, media economy, media sustainability, climate change and the role of media, media regulations and contemporary issues, as these affect the media’s critical agenda-setting roles and its function as a watchdog.

The Summit is to be held from 14 to 17 July 2025 at the Arusha International Conference Centre in Arusha, Tanzania. Delegates will arrive on 13 July and depart on 18 July.

Thematic area one: Inclusivity and people with disabilities in topical discussions

Establishing legal and regulatory policies that prioritise inclusiveness and people with disabilities is essential for ensuring equal opportunities in the digital media landscape.

Inclusivity fosters a diverse and representative media environment where all voices are heard and respected.

• Accessibility in digital media and AI

People with disabilities often face barriers to accessing digital content and services. Policies that mandate accessibility standards, such as screen readers, captioning, and adaptive technologies, will empower individuals with disabilities to fully participate in the digital world.

• Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Inclusive new media and digital media policies directly contribute to several SDGs, including:

• SDG 4 (quality education) – accessible digital media can enhance educational opportunities for people with disabilities, providing them with the resources needed to succeed.
• SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) – inclusive digital media practices can create job opportunities for people with disabilities, fostering economic growth and reducing inequalities
• SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) – by addressing the needs of people with disabilities, media policies can help reduce social and economic disparities, promoting a more equitable society, and
• SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) – inclusive media policies strengthen democratic institutions by ensuring that all citizens have access to information and can participate in public discourse
• Ethical use of AI and digital media

AI and digital media technologies must be developed and deployed ethically, with consideration for the diverse needs of all users.

Legal frameworks that prioritise inclusivity will ensure that AI systems do not perpetuate biases or exclude people with disabilities.

• Building public trust and engagement

Inclusive policies enhance public trust in digital media and AI by demonstrating a commitment to social justice and equality.

Engaging people with disabilities in the policy-making process ensures that their perspectives and experiences are considered, leading to more effective and equitable outcomes.

Expected outcomes on thematic area one:

• Comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks that prioritize inclusiveness and accessibility for people with disabilities.
• Enhanced opportunities for people with disabilities to access and contribute to digital media and AI
• Progress towards achieving relevant SDGs by promoting education, economic growth, reduced inequalities and strong institutions
• Increased public trust in digital media and AI through ethical practices and inclusive policies
• Guaranteed employment for millions of African youth and women

Thematic area two: Digital media and communications, ethics and responsibility

• The rapid growth of digital media has introduced new ethical challenges, including misinformation, privacy breaches and content manipulation. Establishing clear ethical guidelines and accountability measures is essential to maintain public trust and safeguard users’ rights
• AI technologies have the potential to revolutionise media, but their use must be transparent and accountable. Regulations should address issues such as algorithmic bias, data privacy and the ethical implications of AI-generated content
• The collection and use of personal data by digital media platforms pose significant privacy risks. Developing robust data protection laws and guidelines will help protect users’ personal information and ensure their data is used responsibly
• The spread of misinformation and fake news undermines public trust in media and can have serious societal consequences. Legal frameworks and guidelines are needed to hold platforms accountable and promote the dissemination of accurate information
• The digital age has transformed the way content is created, shared and consumed. Updating intellectual property laws to protect creators’ rights while balancing the needs of users is crucial for fostering innovation and creativity
• As the world moves from large screens to small screens and digital media becomes more prevalent, it is important to educate and sensitise the public about media literacy and responsible digital citizenship. Legal and regulatory policies should support educational initiatives that empower individuals to critically engage with digital content
• Media and communications organisations are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks, which can compromise their operations and the integrity of their content. Establishing cyber security standards and protocols will help protect media outlets from such threats

Expected outcomes on thematic area two:

• Comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks that address the unique challenges of digital media and AI
• Enhanced protection of users’ rights, including privacy, data security and intellectual property
• Increased public trust in digital media platforms through the promotion of ethical practices and accountability
• Empowered individuals who are better equipped to navigate the digital media and communications landscape responsibly.

Submission guidelines

1. Submit a 700- to 900-word abstract outlining the significance of the professional paper in line with the expected outcomes of the Summit.
2. Abstracts must be submitted by 18 March 2025
3. Full paper submission: If the abstract is accepted, submit a full paper (4 000 to 6 000 words) detailing the significance of the professional paper, backed up by research, analysis and conclusions
4. Papers should be submitted in Microsoft Word format, Excel, PPT, using Calibri, 12-point font, double-spaced
5. Include references in APA style
6. Full papers are due by 30th April 2025
7. All submissions will be peer-reviewed by the NIMCA Technical Team and a panel of experts. Authors will be notified of acceptance within 10 working days of the submission deadline
8. Notification of full paper acceptance will be 14 May 2025

Submission Process

Submit abstracts and full papers to connect@nimca.africa and copy josephat@mct.or.tz and ziada@mct.or.tz

For any inquiries or further information contact:

• Josephat Mwanzi, Head of Summit Content, Communications, Branding and Media Campaigns Sub-committee, + 255 784 485 438
• Ziada Kilobo, Head of the NIMCA Secretariat, +255 754 019 951