The Network of Independent Media Councils of Africa (NIMCA), in partnership with UNESCO, convened a two-day orientation webinar on 30 to 31 March 2026 to introduce its newly developed Deployment Guidelines on Disability Equality in the Media.
Opening the session, NIMCA Chairperson Phathiswa Magopeni emphasised the importance of translating commitments into action, noting that
‘these Guidelines represent a significant step forward in ensuring that African media systems are not only inclusive in principle, but practical in implementation’.
As regulators and media leaders, we have a responsibility to transform commitments into measurable change that reflects the diversity of our societies
The initiative aims to translate UNESCO’s global commitments on disability equality, freedom of expression and inclusive digital transformation into practical, locally adaptable steps for African media institutions, regulatory bodies, and media practitioners.
Promoting diversity in representation, content accessibility and inclusive management in African media is both a public interest and a market imperative. Inclusive content and leadership expand audience reach, engage underserved groups, and strengthen revenue and market performance.
When media regulators adopt coordinated strategies at the continental level, they create a framework that enables media organisations to implement equitable editorial policies and inclusive practices more efficiently, while also strengthening monitoring, knowledge sharing and accountability.
The session brought together a diverse range of stakeholders from Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, South Sudan, Uganda, South Africa, France, Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Namibia and Algeria.
Participants included media councils, journalists, civil society actors, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and media organisations
The orientation strengthened participants’ understanding of the Guidelines and marked an important first step toward their implementation across media systems at the continental level.
Highlighting the role of regulators, Ernest Sungura, Executive Secretary of the Media Council of Tanzania, stated: ‘As regulators, our role is to set standards that not only protect ethical journalism but also ensure that no group is left behind.’
‘Disability inclusion must now be treated as a core regulatory priority rather than a peripheral issue.’
The Guidelines respond to persistent structural gaps in representation, accessibility and inclusive employment identified through consultations with both media and disability stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of OPDs, Petra Dillmann of the Autism Association of Namibia underscored the importance of inclusion.
‘For us as OPDs, this process is critical because it ensures that persons with disabilities are not only subjects of stories, but active participants in shaping how media systems become more inclusive and accessible.’
Participants emphasised that media regulators and organisations have the capacity to drive systemic change. The strategy is anchored on three core pillars:
equitable editorial policies to enhance inclusive representation
improved accessibility of media content, and
inclusive management practices within media institutions
Discussions also highlighted the growing importance of accessibility in digital information, media content and services. Participants noted increasing efforts by media and technology platforms to integrate accessibility features, while calling for stronger collaboration with OPDs, including the development of professional networks such as sign language interpreters.
Sharing practical newsroom realities, Brandina Lambwe, a reporter from Zambia, noted: ‘As journalists, we have been mandated to carry stories of people living with disabilities, although their stories have not been frequently covered.’
Similarly, Ali Sultan, a media consultant from Zanzibar, emphasised the need for practical support.
As journalists, we are increasingly aware that inclusive storytelling is not optional – it is essential. However, we need practical tools, training and institutional support to consistently report on disability issues in a way that is accurate, respectful and impactful
The session also provided a platform for sharing practical experiences, including disability-focused media programmes and initiatives aimed at adopting inclusive workplace policies, supporting career development and ensuring reasonable accommodation for media professionals with disabilities.
For example, participants highlighted initiatives where media houses have introduced sign language interpretation in news broadcasts and adapted newsroom workflows to support journalists with visual impairments through assistive technologies such as screen readers and accessible editing tools.
By safeguarding pluralism, enforcing ethical standards and upholding the democratic function of the media, regulators and self-regulatory bodies play a critical role in ensuring that media systems are equitable, resilient and sustainable for all audiences.
The orientation marks an important step towards strengthening inclusive, accessible, and rights-based media systems across Africa.
The next phase will focus on national-level capacity building, pilot implementation of the Guidelines, and continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure their effective adoption across the continent.
PICTURE: Selasie Sikanku, also known as DJ Odo, is a much-loved visually-impaired radio journalist at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (courtesy UNESCO)
Media leaders from across Africa convened in Lusaka, Zambia, for the African Media Councils Conference 2026, a landmark gathering aimed at strengthening media self-regulation, promoting accountability and addressing emerging challenges in the digital information ecosystem.
Hosted by the Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia (MSCZ), the conference brought together representatives from media councils, journalists, civil society and international partners under the theme, ‘Media Councils: A Solidarity-Based Approach to Regulatory, Financial and Digital Challenges’.
Opening the conference, MSCZ Chairperson Kennedy Mambwe underscored the urgency of collective action across the continent.
‘Media councils across Africa are facing growing pressure from regulatory environments, financial instability and digital transformation. This conference is about confronting that reality together.’
He emphasised that collaboration among African media councils is no longer optional but essential for survival and growth.
Participants echoed this sentiment, highlighting that many institutions operate in isolation despite facing similar challenges, including misinformation, political pressure and sustainability concerns.
Delivering the keynote address, Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to media freedom and ethical journalism.
‘Freedom of the press is best protected not by government intervention, but by a media that holds itself to the highest professional standards.’
He further called on media stakeholders to adapt to technological changes, including Artificial Intelligence and digital platforms, while maintaining credibility and public trust.
Kennedy Mambwe, Chairperson of the Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia and Assembly President of NIMCA
Throughout the two-day conference, participants engaged in high-level discussions, plenary sessions and group work focusing on
strengthening media accountability systems
addressing misinformation and disinformation
adapting to AI and digital journalism
promoting sustainability and independence of media councils, and
enhancing collaboration across borders
A session on accountability highlighted gaps between principles and practice in many African media systems. This remains a major challenge, shaped by political pressure, limited resources and evolving digital realities.
Participants also noted that public awareness of complaints mechanisms remains low, affecting trust and engagement
The conference provided a platform for peer learning, where media councils shared practical experiences and innovative approaches.
The Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) Executive Secretary, Ernest Sungura, contributed insights on strengthening complaints-handling mechanisms, saying, ‘building trust in the media requires systems that are accessible, transparent, and responsive to the public’.
His presentation sparked discussion on sustainability, with participants agreeing that financial independence is key to maintaining credible self-regulatory systems.
A major outcome of the conference was renewed commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, including support for the establishment of the Southern Africa Press Councils Association (SAPC) as a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Participants at the conference in Lusaka
Participants emphasised that solidarity among African media councils is essential to address cross-border challenges and build resilient media systems. The conference reinforced the role of the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA) as a central platform for coordination, peer learning and advocacy.
As the conference concluded, participants expressed optimism about the future of media self-regulation in Africa.
This gathering has shown that African media councils are ready to work together, share solutions, and build a stronger, more credible media ecosystem
The Lusaka conference marks a significant step forward in shaping a unified, African-led approach to media accountability in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
PICTURE: Zoé Titus, Director of the Namibia Media Trust, addresses the conference
In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly, the African Union Media Fellowship (AUMF) is empowering African media professionals with the skills to critically assess and share accurate information.
The Fellowship aims to strengthen the capacity of African journalists, content creators, and media professionals to tell Africa’s stories from an African perspective, support fact-based reporting, and encourage cross-border collaboration in line with Agenda 2063 and its goal of advancing good governance, transparency and democratic values.
As part of these objectives, AU Media Fellows Jibi Moses (South Sudan) and Maurice Thantan (Benin) received an AUMF grant to train 130 journalists from Botswana, Benin, The Gambia, South Sudan and Tunisia and to develop a fact-checking and Civic Tech toolkit.
Delivered through online and in-person sessions, the 40+ hours of training covered election fact-checking, research and verification, report writing, and the application of the AU Data Policy Framework.
In today’s world, misinformation can undermine democracy and lead to poor decisions. Giving journalists strong fact-checking skills is essential for good governance. This training is an important step in ensuring African media professionals are at the forefront of telling balanced, truthful, and impactful stories
‘We’re proud that two of our AU Media Fellows alumni are leading this important work,’ said Wynne Musabayana, AU Head of Communication in the Information and Communication Directorate.
The toolkit addresses the growing threat of misinformation by equipping journalists with tools to verify information, use Civic Tech, and promote transparency and accountability, while fostering a cross-border network committed to accurate reporting.
‘Civic Tech is changing how governance works in Africa, and journalists have a key role to play. When we understand and use these tools, we can help make our communities more transparent and accountable,’ said Florian Zabel, Team Lead, DataCipation Programme – Harmonised and Inclusive Digital and Data Policies in Africa (GIZ).
‘This is why we at GIZ are supporting this Civic Tech project to equip media professionals with the knowledge and skills to harness technology for open governance, informed citizen engagement, and stronger democratic institutions across the continent.’
The training has already had a measurable impact on participating journalists. Many have reported using their new skills to debunk misinformation and produce fact-based reports that have influenced public discourse in their countries
This demonstrates how the AUMF programme is contributing to a more informed and engaged citizenry.
‘This training gave me practical skills to counter misinformation and promote transparency in my work,’ said Motlalepule Banda, a digital content strategist, after completing the training. ‘The focus on elections and governance was especially valuable, providing insights I can apply directly in my reporting.’
‘Working with journalists from across Africa reminded me of our shared responsibility to tell Africa’s stories truthfully and accurately, beyond borders and stereotypes. I leave this programme better equipped, more motivated, and committed to contributing to a more informed, transparent, and fair society.’
With the project now concluded, the fellows have launched the Civic Tech and Election Fact-Checking Toolkit, a resource offering practical strategies for addressing election-related misinformation and applying the AU Data Policy.
Developed as a hands-on guide for journalists across Africa, the toolkit supports the integrity of information and reinforces democratic processes. The publication is now available online
For more information about the AU Media Fellowship Programme, see here
The World Association of Press Councils (WAPC) strongly condemns the targeted killing of five Al Jazeera journalists—Anas al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa—and freelance journalist Mohammad al-Khaldi, in an Israeli airstrike on 10 August 2025.
The attack struck a journalists’ tent near al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, a blatant assault on press freedom aimed at silencing those reporting on the Gaza conflict.
These journalists were neutral observers, dedicated to documenting the truth and amplifying the voiceless. They were not combatants, yet they were deliberately targeted, with baseless accusations used to justify their deaths.
This act is part of a broader pattern of unprecedented violence against the media in Gaza.
Since 7 October 2023, at least 242 journalists and media workers, mostly Palestinians, have been killed, marking the deadliest period for journalists in modern history. No other conflict has seen such a high toll on the press in so short a time. The systematic killing of journalists, destruction of media infrastructure and restrictions on independent reporting violate international humanitarian law and threaten global democracy.
The WAPC mourns these losses alongside Al Jazeera and supports the United Nations’ call for a thorough investigation. We demand an immediate, independent international inquiry to hold those responsible accountable
All parties to the conflict must respect journalists’ protections under the Geneva Conventions and cease actions that endanger them. We urge the international community — governments, the United Nations and press organisations — to strengthen efforts to protect media workers in conflict zones and demand an end to their targeting.
Journalists risk their lives to hold power accountable and ensure the world knows the truth. The WAPC stands in solidarity with our colleagues in Gaza and worldwide, affirming that the pen will not be silenced by violence.
The truth shall prevail.
DAVID OMWOYO President, World Association of Press Councils
PICTURE: Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, among other journalists, was killed in an Israeli air strike on 10 August 2025 (Al Jazeera)
The Vanishing Lifeline – Policy Solutions for Media Funding Challenges
Overview
Press freedom is a cornerstone of democracy, but it faces growing challenges in G20 countries and beyond – not only from censorship and political interference but also from media financial instability.
The 2025 World Press Freedom Index revealed the dire state of the news economy and its severe effect on editorial independence and media pluralism. According to RSF’s survey, media outlets in 160 out of 180 countries reported achieving financial stability ‘with difficulty’ or ‘not at all’.
Above all, the 2025 RSF’s Index reveals that, while not the most visible challenge facing press freedom globally, media sustainability has, over time, become a significant threat to the very survival of journalism in some parts of the world.
A shortage of adequate resources undermines journalistic independence, fosters editorial bias and creates vulnerability to the capture of media houses by business and political interests, limiting the public’s access to reliable information.
To safeguard press freedom and the right to be informed by a plurality of trustworthy sources of information, governments, civil society and media organisations must rethink how journalism is funded and sustained. This can be achieved through a combination of financial and regulatory support.
The G20 should consider the need for a coordinated response to protect press freedom globally. G20 leaders must recognise that:
free, independent and reliable journalism is essential for society and the economy to function transparently. It supports anti-corruption efforts, informed policy-making and citizen engagement, and
no crisis or challenge identified as G20 priorities – whether health, climate, economic, political or humanitarian – can be addressed without fact-based, independent information at its core. Quality information cannot be produced without journalists getting paid and media outlets generating sufficient resources
Defining the issues and why it is important in a G20 context
Media funding involves several factors and a variety of resources. On the one hand, there are traditional economic resources based on advertising and subscriptions; on the other hand, public or philanthropic financing.
Each of these funding sources faces specific challenges that affect media viability, which is defined in the Media Viability Manifesto as ‘an operational state at the business level where media organisations demonstrate their ability to produce independent journalism that serves the public good whilst also implementing feasible business operations and staying financially afloat’.
While the concept of media viability requires comprehending the broader economic environment in which media outlets operate, this paper focuses on some of the specific challenges affecting various media revenue streams, such as:
The concentration of advertising revenues for digital platforms
Tech platforms use media content to attract users and sell ads, but don’t share the resulting revenues on a fair basis. Digital giants take up to 80% of online ad revenue, leaving legacy and independent outlets with shrinking income streams.
In many regions of the world, media outlets are losing billions following the digital giants’ takeover of online advertising revenues.
The capture of advertising revenue by digital giants reinforces their dominance and diverts the financial resources needed for journalism. This puts the media’s dependence on precarious models.
Platform dominance and market power
The United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity recognise that the current business models of dominant platforms — which are built on the attention economy — have led to a prioritisation of content designed to polarise and produce strong emotions in a bid to maximise users’ engagement and related revenue.
This has been to the detriment of quality, informative, trustworthy content on social media, making it harder for them to reach audiences organically.
Furthermore, several reports have estimated that 80% of the media’s organic online traffic comes from the services of two companies (Google and Meta) – and this flow is declining drastically due to the rise of generative AI services, which send much less traffic on to the websites from whence they scrape their content.
Market concentrationand political, or oligarchic, capture of media
The RSF Index has shown that media markets are highly concentrated in a great number of countries. In 46 of them, a majority of respondents say that the media market is highly concentrated, or entirely controlled by the State. In countries like Turkmenistan, Eritrea and Vietnam (which stand at the bottom of the 2025 ranking), where only State-owned media outlets are allowed, political control undermines editorial independence, leading to censorship, propaganda and erosion of public trust.
Furthermore, media ownership concentration reduces media plurality and often sidelines smaller, local and non-profit media organisations. This is the result of the concentration of the main media outlets in the hands of a small number of owners who use them as tools for political and economic influence
In many countries, this oligarchic capture has increased, especially as financially struggling outlets accept ownership or funding from vested interests. Combined with a lack of transparency regarding ownership and funding, it hinders new players from entering the market.
Unfair allocation of public subsidies and State advertising
The opaque and discriminatory allocation of public funding is another aggravating factor. In several countries, State advertising or media subsidies are used as a lever to favour pro-government media and punish critical media.
The unequal distribution of the advertising money favours control or manipulation by actors close to the government and economically stifles independent media. Media that are critical of government policies also face the threat of defunding, sometimes under pretexts like misinformation or national security.
Shrinking public funding for media
The succession of economic crises is forcing governments to cut spending, thereby weakening financial support for the media. This is compounded by political decisions that have collateral effects on media funding around the world, such as the current suspension of US development aid.
The Trump administration’s decision to freeze billions of dollars in global aid projects, including over $268-million allocated by Congress to support independent media and the free flow of information, has plunged many NGOs, media outlets and journalists into chaotic uncertainty.
Public broadcasters globally – like the media overseen by the US Agency for Global Media – also face budget cuts and political interference, leading to layoffs, closures and reduced coverage.
Proposals for G20 consideration
While strictly respecting press freedom, independence and pluralism, including journalistic universally-recognised self-regulatory professional ethics, G20 leaders should commit to:
Recognise and protect the added value of trusted, independent journalism for sustainable development and society at large
ensure, protect and promote a free, viable, independent and pluralistic media environment, taking robust measures to safeguard journalists, media workers and fact-checkers
include media funding in G20 communiqués and the agendas of working groups
recognise that press freedom and the right to reliable information are crucial to inform the investment strategies of public development banks, and are a prerequisite for sustainable development, and
embed journalism and media funding issues in broader G20 discussions on democracy, digital regulation and sustainable development, or create a dedicated G20 Media Engagement Group
Prioritise public funding to media that commit to upholding high editorial standards and practices
incentivise media outlets to adhere to globally recognised norms and practices of professional and ethical journalism (through higher direct funding support or forms of indirect support such as tax breaks), emphasising impartiality and independence
provide funding to self-regulatory systems whose purpose is to promote high standards and practices of professional and ethical journalism, such as the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI, representing more than 2 000 media in 119 countries worldwide), and
ensure transparency and political neutrality in the allocation of public subsidies or State advertising
Develop policies and platform regulations to enable independent and trusted journalism to thrive in digital markets
ensure fair revenue-sharing between platforms and media outlets through the enforcement of applicable competition and/or copyright legislation
require large digital platforms to ensure the due prominence of trusted sources of information – identified as such based on robust, independent self-regulatory systems – on their services
require large digital platforms and other online intermediaries involved in programmatic advertising to adopt globally recognised norms and practices of professional and ethical journalism, such as proposed by the JTI, to enable their advertising clients to allocate spending to independent, public interest journalism. and
in addition to the compensation frameworks mentioned above, implement a digital tax on platforms with part of its revenue earmarked towards the news sector (to this end, watch out for the forthcoming M20 Summit session of the FID on digital taxes to fund quality journalism, scheduled for 1 September)
G20 members are encouraged to also take inspiration from the February 2025 provisional report of the (South African) Competition Commission’s Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry.
Create incentives for advertisers to uphold democratic values and to fund journalism
introduce the principle that private companies, and primarily advertising companies, have a ‘democratic responsibility’, on top of their corporate social responsibility, which should lead advertisers to align their advertising spending with the funding of public interest journalism, integrating reliability and journalistic ethics as key requirements in the placement of advertising
encourage advertisers to harness existing media industry standards that support professional and ethical journalism and help to ensure brand safety, and
require ad tech companies to establish and publish principles relating to human rights that a website, social media account or channel must adhere to before they can monetise advertising
Use Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds to resist the emergence of news deserts
recognise that ODA must incorporate support for independent journalism in fragile States as an indispensable asset for economic development and the strengthening of democratic governance
allocate a minimum of 1% of ODA, with full transparency, to offer training and capacity building in digital, information and media literacy programmes in weakened information ecosystems, and
cooperate with developing countries in nationally led efforts to build a stronger and safer environment for the exercise of independent journalism
Proposed text for inclusion in G20 outputs
For the Heads of State (‘Leaders’ declaration’)
‘We recognise the role that journalists and media play as providers of accurate, reliable and independent information, which is essential for the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms.
‘We note the collapse in business models that support public interest journalism and are aware of the crisis of sustainability for the news media industry as being one of the main causes for the decline of press freedom globally.
‘We agree to commit to supporting efforts that sustain conditions to ensure the financial viability of journalism while ensuring that this support empowers and does not undermine editorial independence and journalistic freedom.’
For the Digital Ministers 2025 declaration
‘In the face of growing threats from mis- and disinformation, we highlight the vital role that independent and financially viable media play in providing trustworthy public-interest information. Strengthening media viability is essential to ensuring information integrity, including in the digital space.
‘We encourage digital platforms and technology companies to recognise the value of self-assessment and independent certification systems, such as the Journalism Trust Initiative, as an indicator of quality journalism and public interest information and potential partners in confronting disinformation
‘Where commercial interests would normally drive curation by online intermediaries, we acknowledge that a “due prominence” obligation is necessary to enhance the findability and visibility of public interest content that is produced with accountability and in line with professional and ethical norms.’
Acknowledgements and call for comments
This Policy Brief was commissioned within the framework of the M20 ahead of the G20 Summit.
The M20 initiative is a ‘shadow’ parallel process set up to intersect with the G20 processes. The M20 seeks to persuade the G20 network of the most powerful global economies to recognise the news media’s relevance to their concerns.
As a collaborative M20 document, this paper is a working, live document. Share your suggestions or comments for consideration to [email protected]
For more information about the G20 process, which is hosted by South Africa in 2025, visit the website here
This policy brief can be republished under Creative Commons licence, provided that you credit the source, indicate any changes to the text, and link back to the original article on the M20 site
Escalating Assaults on Journalists’ Safety are a Threat to Democracy
Overview
Attacks on journalists worldwide are a monstrosity for democracy’s existential commitment to information integrity. Solidarity is needed with the frontline fighters for information integrity. Sustainability is required so they can do their work without fear, and equality is necessary so that journalists have the right to justice and there is an end to impunity for those who violate human rights.
The M20 is an opportunity to ‘showcase’ to the G20 the increase in killings, murders, kidnappings and detentions of journalists around the world – especially in war zones such as Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, Syria, DRC, among others. These increases have been noted this year by organisations that include the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) and UNESCO.
Powering the surge in attacks is the 20-year trajectory (from 2006-2024), where 1 700 journalists were killed. The majority of these crimes – 85% – go unpunished. The second monstrous layer of the anti-democracy trajectory is online bullying of women journalists (especially black, and LGBTQI+), consisting of intimidation, harassment, doxxing and trolling, threats of rape and murder in the cyber sphere – such as on social media – which is an emotionally violent zone.
Therefore, this year’s G20 themes of solidarity, equality, and sustainability must apply directly to stop attacks on journalists. These G20 ideals cannot be realised unless journalism as a public good, which values information integrity, is fought for and protected as a treasure to democracy.
Alliances with civil society (and governments whose values align for a more peaceful and just world), and international collaboration are needed. While signing multilateral agreements on occasions like World Press Freedom Day is a valuable start, there is a pressing need to take concrete action beyond symbolic gestures
Proposal to the G20
The proposal to the G20 is to hear, discuss, acknowledge and act against the ever-increasing killing of journalists, as well as online sexual violence against women journalists.
The Rio G20 leadership declaration says: ‘Acknowledging that gender-based violence, including sexual violence against women and girls, is alarmingly high across public and private spheres, we condemn every form of discrimination against women and girls and recall our commitment to end gender-based violence, including sexual violence and combat misogyny online and offline.’
Women journalists are adversely affected by bots, trolls and politicians on platforms that are adversarial by algorithmic design and by an absence of content moderation, and which seem to contain no discussion or nuance.
They spread hatred of a sexualised nature, often spilling over into real life space, as in the case of journalists Maria Ressa and Ferial Haffajee.
In the G20 interpretation of equality, solidarity and sustainability, neither equality (for all genders), solidarity (with all those suffering from war mongers) nor sustainability (healing the planet and ending poverty) can be reached without freedom to do journalism as a public good. Therefore, journalists’ safety, protection and acknowledgment of their role in democracy should be an urgent M20/ G20 goal.
This Policy Brief argues that signed agreements must be followed through with action against perpetrators involving new levels of co-operation between civil society, governments, international and continental agencies such as the United Nations, African Union and European Union, as well as between media freedom and journalist safety networks and advocacy organisations such as the International Centre For Journalists (ICFJ), the Journalist Safety Network and SANEF.
Defining the critical issue and role of the G20 and key issues
The global state of press freedom is now classified as a ‘difficult situation’, according to the RSF 2025 report. This is the first time this has been the case in the index’s history. While one of the main reasons was due to the ‘economic factor’ – the sustainability of journalism – RSF noted that physical attacks continue.
The United States is leading the economic depression, while it is also recognised as a global leader in Silicon Valley for AI and social media apps. Similarly, online attacks – enabled by Big Tech billion-dollar profit-making companies such as Alphabet (Google’s parent company), Meta (Facebook’s parent company) and platforms like X and TikTok – operate with little to no accountability or regulation concerning journalist safety.
The situation in Palestine (163rd on the RSF index) is disastrous; in Gaza, the Israeli army has destroyed newsrooms and killed nearly 200 journalists. As of 16 June 2025, CPJ’s preliminary investigations showed at least 185 journalists and media workers were among more than tens of thousands killed in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and Lebanon since the war began, making it the deadliest period for journalists since CPJ began gathering data in 1992.
As BBC News, Agence France-Presse (AFP), Associated Press (AP) and Reuters have noted, those reporting the conflict from Gaza now face ‘the same dire circumstances as those they are covering’. That is, engineered starvation.
This unprecedented extreme violence against journalists in conflict zones takes place against a broader assault on journalists globally. For over a decade, research has shown that women and journalists of colour are particularly targeted. Seventy percent of women journalists experienced online and offline threats, harassment, or attacks, and a third have considered leaving the profession as a result, according to a 2019 report by the International Women’s Media Foundation.
Africa: Online bullying and cybermisogyny
Women journalists in certain African countries have encountered extreme online harassment due to their journalism and/or for having a public profile, according to a study by Alana Barton (Reader in Criminology in the Department of Law and Criminology, Edge Hill University in Lancashire, UK) and Hannah Storm (award-winning journalist, producer and director).
This has not abated, with 73% of women journalists saying they experienced harassment and bullying on platforms such as X and Facebook, according to 2022 research by Julie Posetti and Nabeelah Shabbir in their study, The Chilling: Global Study of Online Violence Against Women Journalists.
The ICFJ/UNESCO study reveals that deep-dive research into attacks on journalists in African countries includes online harassment, disinformation and smear campaigns, sexist and hateful speech, as well as trolling with threats of rape and death
In some African and other countries, this occurs against the backdrop of authoritarian regimes that place the free press under attack.
Studies reveal patterns vis-à-vis the digital harassment of women journalists on the continent, including self-censoring and exiting the journalistic field. The research found that 75 percent of women journalists surveyed in Kenya experienced online harassment, particularly when covering politics and sport.
Harassment not only leads women to stop using digital tools but also to withdraw from the profession, wrote Moraa Obiria (senior gender writer at Nation Media Group in Kenya). Those who resist face being silenced further.
Globally, cyberspace reflects and amplifies harassment, sexism and other forms of discrimination against journalists, including homophobia, racism, and religious hate speech.
South Africa
In South Africa, women journalists of all races who work in the political reporting and investigative spaces have been targeted with threats of rape and murder, and trolling and doxxing. Journalists include Ferial Haffajee (Associate Editor), Tshidi Madia (political broadcast journalist) and Karyn Maughan (legal journalist).
‘Much like your casual school bully, online trolls will do everything in their power to get under your skin. They will persist despite you ignoring them […]
‘In 2018, when it became manifest that I will not succumb to social media bullying, the efforts to intimidate me became more direct and sinister. In August 2018, I was sent a picture of a gun by an ANC Women’s League leader for sending her probing questions about a meeting she attended.
‘There was an attempt to dox me — an effort to intimidate me by sharing my address — but, thankfully, the post was taken down … There were full-blown threats to rape and kill me by Zuma supporters.
‘While my employer and the South African National Editors’ Forum came to my defence, I never felt more alone in that ordeal. I knew I was not the only one facing this, and I also knew that my seniors did not know how to navigate this terrain.
‘What do you do in this instance? Do you send legal letters to thousands of bots? By this time, attacks on female political journalists in South Africa had become far, far worse.’
Journalists should not simply ‘suck it up’, says Hunter, who links mental health to safety and media freedom in the book. Her vocal advocacy for mental health awareness in journalism earned her the prestigious Nat Nakasa Award for Courageous Journalism in 2019.
Collaborations needed to enforce platform accountability
Platforms such as X and Facebook have permitted sexism in a vile fashion, and have failed to prioritise dealing with threats against women journalists. Reports of cybermisogyny on social media across the continent indicate that harassment, such as threats of rape and murder, often leads women journalists to leave social media or the industry altogether.
According to one report on women journalists and safety, there is a complete lack of accountability. South African women describe it as a free-for-all, saying they are advised to report incidents to the police – but when they do, the officers appear unfamiliar with terms like ’emotional violence’ or ‘cybermisogyny’.
It is the responsibility of traditional and Big Tech, as well as governments and civil society, to take action and effect change. Early warning systems need to be developed to monitor, predict and prevent online violence escalation
Research on cyberbullying in South Africa, as referenced in this Policy Brief, also indicates that currently, only NGOs in the civil society space and some news organisations fully recognise the importance and nature of physical violence against journalists, and are attempting to effect change.
But they cannot act alone. Governments on both the continent and globally must hold Big Tech accountable to curb unregulated online bullying. Pressure needs to be applied for companies to take coordinated action in stopping harassment, identifying offenders and ensuring they face criminal consequences.
Urgent continental, intercontinental and global collaborations are needed to tackle Big Tech companies for regulation, naming, shaming and sanctions.
Other recommendations, outlined in The Chilling, include the adoption of a more inclusive approach to recognise and call out the intersectional nature of online violence, and for law enforcement agencies to develop gender-sensitive skills to be equipped to tackle these cases.
Proposed text for inclusion in G20 output
For the Heads of State (‘Leaders’ declaration’):
‘We recognise with deep concern the unprecedented rise in physical and online assaults on journalists, and we unequivocally condemn such acts as grave violations of international law and fundamental human rights.
‘We call on governments to demand immediate protection for targeted journalists and unimpeded humanitarian access.
‘We call upon all governments to strengthen and enhance efforts to ensure the safety and protection of journalists, uphold freedom of the press, and foster an environment where media professionals can carry out their vital work without fear or intimidation, let alone being targeted in war and subjected to generalised starvation.
‘We recognise the sizeable role played by large technology and social media companies in the proliferation of online harassment, particularly targeting women journalists.
‘We call on governments to develop and implement robust regulatory frameworks that ensure accountability of digital platforms for protecting safety and human rights online, including of journalists, and empower state organs to effectively respond to online criminal acts.’
Recommendations and opportunities for G20 media
A joint campaign opportunity awaits: civil society, with progressive democratic governments, journalist organisations, and international agencies can collaborate to stop physical violence against journalists, as well as emotional online
The media need co-operation and alliances (with international agencies and national governments) to hold Big Tech accountable
Safety measures and equipment need to be provided to journalists in conflict areas and war zones, and there can be no impunity for perpetrators who fail to respect reporters as civilians
News organisations need to develop gender-awareness protocols to respond to online violence, to stop victim-blaming, and not to feel restricted or silenced in their response
Acknowledgements and call for comments
This policy brief was commissioned within the framework of the M20 ahead of the G20 Summit.
The M20 initiative is a ‘shadow’ parallel process set up to intersect with the G20 processes. The M20 seeks to persuade the G20 network of the most powerful global economies to recognise the news media’s relevance to their concerns.
As a collaborative M20 document, this paper is a working, live document. Share your suggestions or comments for consideration to [email protected]
This Policy Brief can be republished under Creative Commons licence, – i.e. provided that you credit the source, indicate any changes to the text, and link back to the original article on the M20 site.
When Kenya last hosted a major continental sporting event – the All-Africa Games in 1987 – many of the country’s current sports journalists hadn’t even been born. Some were toddlers, others only dreams in their parents’ minds.
Now, nearly four decades later, a new generation of reporters will live their own moment of history as Kenya co-hosts the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, alongside neighbors Uganda and Tanzania.
For young and seasoned journalists alike, the month-long tournament is more than just another assignment – it’s a powerful symbol of pride, opportunity, and long-awaited fulfillment.
‘This is a big opportunity. It’s been a long time coming and is a great build-up to AFCON 2027,’ says Jeff Kinyanjui, veteran journalist and Head of Communications at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
‘This tournament offers local media personnel a platform to learn CAF operations and tournament coverage. It’s also a chance to interact with some of the continent’s brightest football talents – many of whom could go on to become world-class stars’
Kenya came close to hosting major football events twice before – AFCON 1996 and CHAN 2018 – but both were lost due to unpreparedness. CHAN 2024 now marks a redemptive moment not only for Kenyan football but also for its growing media ecosystem.
‘It’s not just about journalism,’ Kinyanjui adds. ‘It’s about capacity building for the whole East African region and fostering continental connections. It has been a tough learning curve for most of us, beginning with the accreditation processes like accessing the media channel and all.
‘For most of our colleagues, this is their first time experiencing this. We have learnt a lot even before the first ball is kicked on the field.’
Veteran broadcaster Daniel Wahome, now a Senior Editor at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), recalls listening to the 1987 All-Africa Games on a radio at his grandfather’s homestead. CHAN 2024 completes a full-circle moment for him.
‘It’s an incredible honour. Not just to witness this moment but to help shape it. This is also our chance to tell the East African story – our culture, our people – and share it with the world,’ Wahome reflects
Veteran editor Chris Mbaisi, former president of the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK), has reported from the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. But even with over 25 years in the profession, he feels CHAN 2024 strikes a special chord.
‘There’s nothing quite like covering a tournament your own country is hosting. It’s personal. It’s a moment of pride – and a chance to tell Kenya’s story our way,’ Mbaisi says.
For 25-year-old digital media reporter Tabitha Makumi, CHAN 2024 is more than just a tournament – it’s a career milestone.
‘It feels surreal to walk into a stadium and cover these games as a journalist,’ she says. ‘This is a chance to showcase young Kenyan talent and tell Africa’s football story to the world. It also allows us to exchange ideas with colleagues from across the continent. For example, I get to learn how a journalist from Nigeria connects with their audience, and share how we do it here and so on.
‘It’s a beautiful blend of storytelling cultures. Over and beyond, it will be a proud moment for me to put it in my CV that I was part of this CHAN’
CAF has accredited over 250 Kenyan journalists, with nearly 800 media professionals expected to cover the tournament across the three host nations.
For Kenya’s media, CHAN 2024 represents more than football – it’s a generational leap, a cultural statement, and a shared moment of African unity.
At the 5th Ordinary Session of the 6th Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, legislators and experts placed Africa’s data sovereignty, AI governance and responsible digital innovation at the forefront of the continent’s transformation agenda, emphasising the need for urgent, African-led action to avoid becoming a ‘digital colony’ while harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution for inclusive development.
Hon. Behdja Lammali, (Algerian) Chairperson of the Committee on Transport, Industry, Communications, Energy, Science and Technology, opened the discussions, saying, ‘Africa continues to lag behind in digitalisation, innovation and AI adoption, risking long-term negative impacts on our continent and our people’.
‘We must align our strategies with Agenda 2063 to advance digital health, smart industrialisation, and responsible AI use while protecting privacy and personal data.’
Reflecting on the outcomes of the First Parliamentary Digital Summit, Hon. Lammali noted, ‘We covered critical areas including AI training, data protection and digital health, discussing the role of parliamentarians in advancing AI and policy harmonisation’.
She called on Member States to ‘develop model laws on AI, data protection and privacy aligned with Agenda 2063, and to ratify and domesticate the Malabo Convention to address emerging technologies, AI, cross-border data flows and cyber threats’.
She added that ‘Africa must build a secure, inclusive, sovereign digital and AI future that aligns with the Africa We Want under Agenda 2063, ensuring data protection, AI for development, local innovation and equitable benefits for all Africans, from North to South, East to West’
Prof. Mirjam van Reisen of Leiden and Tilburg Universities, who presented on ‘Building a continental framework for AI, Data Sovereignty and Responsible Digital Inoovation’, highlighted the urgency for Africa to take ownership of its data.
‘Artificial Intelligence is now embedded in everyday tools and platforms and is essential for economic growth in Africa, with the potential to add $3-trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030,’ she said.
Van Reisen warned, ‘Africa risks losing control over its digital data, with it being exported for economic gain in the United States, China and Europe without African oversight’.
She continued, ‘Controlling data is essential for controlling AI tools and protecting African interests – current centralised models of data storage and AI development reinforce inequality’.
She drew on Africa’s traditions, saying, ‘Just as traditional communities gathered under trees to find solutions, Africa now needs decentralised data systems through decentralised web and edge computing to build sovereignty over AI’.
Van Reisen underlined, ‘Africa should become the first continent fully data sovereign, using African data and legacy to shape “African Intelligence” for AI, avoiding digital colonialism while leveraging AI for African-led growth and problem-solving’.
‘AI is transforming healthcare, education, agriculture and public policy in Africa, but African data is often stored and processed outside the continent, risking misuse and loss of control, he said.
Mveyange explained, ‘AI models often rely on non-African datasets, leading to biases and poor applicability to African contexts’.
He urged African governments to ‘build legal, technical and governance frameworks to protect data and ensure it benefits African citizens’, emphasising ‘data is an economic resource, and African countries must prevent digital extractivism by global technology companies’.
He proposed adopting FAIR Data principles, making data ‘Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable within African contexts’, while investing in African data scientists, AI engineers and ethical AI governance structures
Mveyange called on the Pan-African Parliament and the African Union to ‘facilitate dialogue across governments, civil society, academia and the private sector to develop harmonised policies’, and to position Africa as ,a leader in ethical, responsible and people-centred AI’.
He concluded, ‘The time is now to build an Africa-led, responsible AI ecosystem to drive economic growth, improve health outcomes and foster inclusive development across the continent’.
Gregory Isaacson, AI expert from AgridroneAfrica, showcased practical pathways for AI implementation, focusing on food security and agricultural modernisation through African data sovereignty. He described a pilot model using drones and AI to boost yields and market efficiency via apps in farmers’ own languages.
Addressing the sovereignty aspect, Isaacson warned, ‘Current global AI models collect user data, raising privacy concerns … We propose local, solar-powered AI systems on farms that operate offline, store data locally, and prevent data leakage’.
The session at the Pan-African Parliament reaffirmed that while AI can transform healthcare, agriculture, education and governance, it must be rooted in African realities, be people-centred and respect local cultures, languages, and community needs
From calls to strengthen AI legal frameworks and expand local cloud infrastructure to proposals for cross-border research projects addressing healthcare and supply chain resilience, the speakers underscored the need for a unified, Africa-led approach that ensures AI benefits all Africans.
By aligning these initiatives with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, Africa can turn Artificial Intelligence into ‘African Intelligence’, ensuring it is ethical, inclusive and a driver of prosperity and resilience on the continent.
PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT
PICTURE: Hon. Behdja Lammali, Chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament Committee on Transport, Industry, Communications, Energy, Science and Technology, opened the discussions (PAP)
Journalists, fact-checkers, digital rights advocates, and climate specialists from across the continent gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa, for a one-day summit.
The event focused on tackling climate change disinformation and protecting the integrity of public information.
Convened by Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) alongside regional and international partners, the gathering took place under the theme, ‘Fighting Climate Change Disinformation: Information Integrity for Climate Change and the Role of African Media’.
With South Africa preparing to host the G20 Summit – this, for the first time on African soil – the timing of the meeting is significant. Issues of climate and environmental sustainability are expected to dominate the G20 agenda, and local media bodies are working to ensure that information integrity is not left off the table.
Organisations such as the South African National Editors’ Forum and MMA are pushing for the media’s role in combating false and misleading narratives to be recognised as vital to the success of climate action efforts
Reliable information, participants argued, is the backbone of effective climate response. Without it, misinformation can derail policy, mislead the public and weaken global cooperation on issues such as carbon emissions, green transitions and disaster preparedness.
‘Climate change affects every aspect of our societies, and the media has a critical role to play in how people understand and respond to it,’ said one delegate.
There was broad agreement among attendees that African media houses need stronger support, including better tools and training to detect and counter disinformation, especially in an era where false narratives can spread rapidly online.
The summit concluded with a call for coordinated strategies to defend the information space and empower journalists to report on climate issues with depth, accuracy, and accountability.
The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Liberian authorities to ensure justice for journalist Alex Seryea Yormie, who was abducted for several hours and brutalised by members of a local traditional society in northeastern Nimba county.
On 30 June, the men abducted Yormie while he was on his way back to the community-based Lar-Wehyi radio station, shortly after he read on air a government order suspending activities of the Poro society, the journalist told CPJ.
The Poro is a centuries-old men’s society that traditionally enforces community laws. Their rituals still shape lives in rural areas, although they have been criticised for human rights abuses
‘The abduction and brutal attack on journalist Alex Seryea Yormie are grave reminders of the dangers the media face in Liberia from powerful non-state groups,’ said CPJ Regional Director Angela Quintal.
‘Authorities must continue to investigate the incident and guarantee the safety of the press to report on sensitive subjects without facing retaliatory attacks.’
Yormie told CPJ that nine assailants carried him to their office, where about 30 members of the group beat him with their hands, before taking him to another location, where they beat him with sticks, stripped him naked, and tied his genitals with ropes.
After two hours, the men took Yormie to another location where they beat him for a further two hours, and then took him to a fourth site, where police intervened and rescued him, the journalist said.
Yormie told CPJ he received medical treatment for cuts all over his body.
On 1 July, a Poro leader, Melvin Duo, was arrested. On 14 July, Duo was charged with ‘recklessly endangering someone, simple assault and felonious restraint’, the journalist told CPJ, but the case was adjourned because Yormie was injured in an unrelated accident and will resume once he recovers.
CPJ’s calls and text messages to request comment from Duo and police spokesperson Cecelia Clarke received no response.
PICTURE: Journalist Alex Seryea Yormie was abducted on his way back to the Lar-Wehyi radio station after reading a government order on the air (News from Liberia/YouTube)
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In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly, the African Union Media Fellowship (AUMF) is empowering African media professionals with the skills to critically assess and share accurate information.
With the project now concluded, the fellows have launched the 
The World Association of Press Councils (WAPC) strongly condemns the targeted killing of five Al Jazeera journalists—Anas al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa—and freelance journalist Mohammad al-Khaldi, in an Israeli airstrike on 10 August 2025.
Policy Brief
When Kenya last hosted a major continental sporting event – the 
At the 
Journalists, fact-checkers, digital rights advocates, and climate specialists from across the continent gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa, for a one-day summit.
The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Liberian authorities to ensure justice for journalist 