First NIMCA summit plans to advance excellence in African journalism
Tanzania will host the first international conference of African Media Councils scheduled to take place from 14 to 17 July 2025 at the Arusha International Conference Center.
President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, is expected to open the conference with special guests Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, and the Deputy Director General for Communication and Information of UNESCO, Dr Tawfik Jelassi.
Mwinyi has also been invited as a special guest at the 30th Anniversary Awards of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT).
A number of African government ministers responsible for media and communication are also expected to attend. These include: William Kabogo Gitau, Minister of Information and Digital Economy, Kenya; Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Tanzania; Jerry Silaa, Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Tanzania; Dr Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Uganda; Cornelius Mweetwa, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Zambia, and Veronica M Nduva, Secretary-General of the East African Community.
The conference is being organised by the MCT in collaboration with the Network of Independent Media Councils of Africa (NIMCA) and the East Africa Press Councils (EAPC). A number of international meetings will be held alongside the conference, including those of the EAPC and the World Association of Press Councils.
More than 500 delegates are expected to attend, with 150 coming from outside Tanzania. The theme of the conference is ‘Advancing Media and Communication Regulations for Journalism Excellence in Africa’
Essentially, this conference will focus on three major aspects over three significant days:
- professional discussions to address various challenges affecting the media industry and how media councils worldwide are tackling these issues
- media, communications and technology exhibitions, which will showcase innovations from media houses, public institutions and private organisations, and
- the launch of the 30th anniversary celebrations of the MCT, during which members of and those associated with the MCT, including media houses, journalism institutions and journalism schools, will reflect on how they have upheld professionalism and ethical standards
Sponsors of the conference include the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and UNESCO.
PICTURE: The inaugural African Media Councils summit took place in Cape Town in May 2024
Download the press release here
