On May 16, 2024, Churchill Otieno, President of the Africa Editors’ Forum, and Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the Africa Media Convention (AMC) opened the Africa Media Convention III (AMC-III) at the Accra International Conference Centre. The event gathered journalists, media stakeholders, and advocates of press freedom.
Reflecting on the journey that led to this moment, Otieno highlighted the significance of the AMC’s past events. The inaugural convention in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2022, and the subsequent gathering in Lusaka, Zambia, in 2023, laid the groundwork for what has now become a vital platform for solidarity among African media professionals.
Mr. Otieno emphasized the crucial role of journalists in telling Africa’s story, holding power to account, and championing justice and democracy. This call to action underscored the vital role of journalists in illuminating society’s darkest corners, holding power to account, and tirelessly championing justice and democracy.
“We convene to embrace our responsibility as custodians of Africa’s narrative, to uphold truth, defend media freedom, drive sustainability, and evolve homegrown media policies that ensure our industry thrives,” Otieno said, emphasizing the crucial role of journalists in shaping Africa’s story.
He honored the memory of at least 14 journalists killed in Africa between January 2023 and May 2024. Further highlighting the challenges, Otieno noted that, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists’ annual Prison Census, at least 67 journalists were imprisoned across Africa as of December 1, 2023.
“Journalism is not a Crime. We must say and do all that is necessary to stop this wanton muzzling of agents of truth,” he insisted, invoking Desmond Tutu’s wisdom about the power of improved arguments over raised voices and the danger of remaining silent in the face of injustice.
Throughout the convention, Otieno urged deep engagement on critical issues. He emphasized the need for fair compensation for journalists, advocating for equitable revenue-sharing models and copyright reforms amid big tech platforms’ dominance.
He also stressed the importance of access to data held by social media platforms, advocating for greater transparency and accountability to empower journalists in their investigative work.
Otieno acknowledged the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the media landscape. While recognizing the challenges and risks associated with AI, he urged African media professionals to engage critically with these technologies.
“By harnessing the power of AI responsibly, we can unlock new opportunities for innovation, improve the quality of journalism, and advance media freedom and sustainability across the continent,” he asserted.
Otieno highlighted the need for fair compensation for journalists, advocating for equitable revenue-sharing models and copyright reforms. He also stressed the importance of access to data held by social media platforms and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism.
In closing, Otieno called for solidarity and collaboration, urging delegates to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and strengthen their collective resolve to safeguard media freedom and promote excellence in journalism.
This year’s convention in Accra was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the Ghanaian government, the Ghana Journalists Association, local journalists, and the people of Ghana.
