The third edition of the African Media Convention, which is scheduled to be officially opened by President Akufo-Addo on May 16, started on Wednesday, May 15 in Accra.
It is under the theme: “The African Media We Want: Enhancing Freedom, Innovation, and Sustainability in a Dynamic Media Landscape”.
The over 2,000 participants have been drawn from across Africa. They are made up of journalists, policymakers, Ministers of State, researchers and academics.
Welcoming participants, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, stressed on the relevance of the convention.
He said, participants will be introduced to modern trends in media practice, especially in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“We are happy to be the First Journalists Association or union in Africa and from West Africa to host the third AMC after the Eastern Africa Editors’ Forum in Arusha, Tanzania, and the Southern Africa Editors’ Forum (SAEF) in Lusaka, Zambia, hosted the first and second conventions respectively.
This makes the year 2024 historic for us because the Ghana Journalists Association is celebrating its 75th anniversary and we are extremely grateful to the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for giving us his blessings and support in making this convention a reality,” he said.
Solidarity messages were presented by representatives of UNESCO, African Union and the Minister designate for Information, Madam Fatimatu Abubakar.
“As we gather to discuss the important role of journalism in the context of the environmental crisis, it is imperative that we recognise the profound impact that the media have in shaping public discourse and driving positive change. The African continent, with its rich biodiversity and diverse ecosystems, is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
Therefore, we cannot overstate the responsibility the media bears in fostering awareness, promoting dialogue, and advocating sustainable solutions.
I commend the African Union (AU) and other stakeholders for prioritising climate action through initiatives such as the AU Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan. The media, as a key ally in advancing these efforts, plays a pivotal role in amplifying the voices of communities affected by environmental degradation; and advocating policies that safeguard our planet for future generations,” the Information Minister designate said.
Background
The annual African Media Convention is a collaborative effort supported by the African media stakeholders, to reflect on the fundamental role of journalism on the continent, celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and deliberate on measures to safeguard media freedoms and promote access to information, the safety of journalists and media viability in AU Member States.
The AMC was conceived in 2021 by the Eastern Africa Editors Forum, UNESCO Liaison Office to AU and UNECA and UNESCO National Office in Da-es salaam.
It emerged out of a growing need to engage with all the African media stakeholders in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing media in the digital age. Recognizing the critical role of a free and vibrant press on the continent, the inaugural AMC was convened in 2022 in Arusha, Tanzania, bringing together media stakeholders from across Africa and the African Union Commission. In 2003, 2nd AMC was held in Lusaka Zambia.
AMC has emerged as a pivotal forum for advancing media freedom, innovation, and sustainability across the African continent. Stemming from the esteemed World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3rd, the convention serves as a nexus for journalists, editors, policymakers, academics, civil society and media development partners to convene and deliberate on pertinent issues shaping the media landscape in AU Member States. With a rich history rooted in safeguarding press freedom and journalistic integrity, the AMC has evolved into a beacon of collaboration and capacity building, rotating across African countries to address evolving challenges and opportunities in the digital era.
