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Tag: AMC

  • 14 African journalists lost their lives between 2023 and 2024 – AMC

    14 African journalists lost their lives between 2023 and 2024 – AMC

    Chairperson of the African Media Convention (AMC) and President of the African Editors Forum (Taef), Mr. Churchill Otieno, has disclosed that between January 2023 and May 2024, Africa lost 14 journalists.

    Additionally, he highlighted that by December 1, 2023, 67 journalists had been unjustly incarcerated for executing their duties. Mr. Otieno urged journalists not to remain silent but rather to collaborate in advocating for positive change.

    Speaking at the Third African Media Convention in Accra’s International Conference Centre, Mr. Otieno emphasized the importance of fair compensation for journalists and media professionals.

    He stressed the need for equitable revenue sharing models and copyright reforms to ensure journalists receive adequate rewards for their contributions.

    Addressing the challenges journalists face in the digital age, Mr. Otieno highlighted restricted access to data, hindering investigative journalism.

    He advocated for greater transparency and accountability to facilitate journalists’ access to data, enabling them to hold those in power accountable and serve the public interest.

    Mr. Otieno also discussed the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance journalism, despite associated risks such as job displacement.

    He urged African media professionals to engage critically with AI, ensuring its ethical development and responsible implementation.

    Furthermore, Mr. Otieno called for knowledge sharing, innovative storytelling methods, and partnerships to amplify marginalized voices and safeguard media freedom.

    He emphasized leveraging new technologies to advance journalism quality and promote excellence across the continent.

    “we must take a stand, and we must advocate for fair composition mechanisms, including equitable revenue sharing models and copyright reforms, to ensure that journalists are adequately rewarded for their contributions.”

    “By advocating for access to social media data, we empower journalists to fulfil their vital role as watchdogs of society and strengthen the foundations of media, freedom, and the foundations of our democracies,” he stated.

  • 14 journalists have been killed in Africa between 2023 and 2024 – AMC reports

    14 journalists have been killed in Africa between 2023 and 2024 – AMC reports

    Chairperson of the African Media Convention (AMC) and President of the African Editors Forum (Taef),Mr. Churchill Otieno, has reported that 14 journalists were killed in Africa between January 2023 and May 2024.

    Speaking at the Third African Media Convention held at the International Conference Centre in Accra, Mr. Otieno also noted that, as of December 1, 2023, 67 journalists had been imprisoned for their work.

    He urged journalists not to remain silent about these issues but to engage and collaborate to advocate for positive change.

    Mr. Otieno highlighted that the deceased journalists were from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria, Mali, Rwanda, and Cameroon.

    He emphasized the need for fair remuneration for journalists and media professionals, stating, “We must take a stand and advocate for fair compensation mechanisms, including equitable revenue-sharing models and copyright reforms, to ensure that journalists are adequately rewarded for their contributions.”

    He further explained that advocating for fair compensation would not only uphold the dignity and livelihood of journalists but also strengthen the foundation of a sustainable and thriving media ecosystem, enabling Africa to tell its own story effectively.

    Mr. Otieno pointed out that restricted access to data hinders journalists who rely on it for in-depth reporting and investigative journalism, especially in this digital age where social networks have become crucial information sources.

    He called for greater transparency and accountability to ensure journalists have the data they need to hold those in power accountable and serve the public interest.

    “By advocating for access to social media data, we empower journalists to fulfil their vital role as watchdogs of society and strengthen the foundations of media, freedom, and the foundations of our democracies,” he stated.

    Mr. Churchill Otieno emphasized the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance the journalistic workforce by automating repetitive tasks and personalizing content delivery for diverse audiences. However, he acknowledged the challenges and risks associated with AI, such as job displacement, which cannot be ignored.

    Speaking at the Third African Media Convention, Mr. Otieno urged African media professionals to engage critically with AI, ensuring its development and use are guided by ethical principles, transparency, and accountability.

    He stated that by harnessing AI responsibly, the opportunities for innovation could significantly improve the quality of journalism and advance media freedom across the continent.

    Mr. Otieno called for knowledge sharing and the exchange of ideas to collectively safeguard media freedom and promote excellence in journalism.

    He stressed the importance of leveraging new technologies, exploring innovative storytelling methods, and forming partnerships to amplify the voices of the voiceless.