AFRICA’S independent media councils have established a unified front against digital misinformation and authoritarian press restrictions, electing new leadership and demanding governments across the continent repeal laws criminalising defamation and sedition.
The Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA) concluded its inaugural Annual General Meeting in Arusha, with delegates from 13 media councils calling for a “continental approach” to digital governance that prioritises freedom of expression while combating the spread of false information.
Kennedy Mambwe, Chairperson of Zambia’s Media Self-Regulation Council, was elected Assembly President, while Phathiswa Magopeni, Executive Director of South Africa’s Press Council, will serve as Board Chairperson of the newly institutionalised network.
“We are witnessing an unprecedented assault on information integrity across Africa,” Mambwe said, addressing delegates representing journalism bodies, policymakers, and civil society actors from across the continent. “The response cannot be fragmented—it must be continental and rooted in our realities.”
The three-day summit, held under the theme “Advancing Media and Communication Regulations for Journalism Excellence in Africa,” marked a significant milestone for NIMCA, which was formed in Cape Town in May 2024. Delegates agreed on constitutional provisions and launched the network’s website alongside a strategic action programme.
Governments Urged to Repeal Criminal Defamation Laws
In a direct challenge to authoritarian governments across Africa, delegates called for the immediate repeal of laws criminalising defamation, sedition, and the publication of false information—statutes frequently used to silence critical journalism and opposition voices.
The councils aligned themselves with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ 2019 Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression, which mandates states to create enabling regulatory environments for independent media.
“These colonial-era laws have no place in democratic Africa,” said Magopeni. “They serve only to intimidate journalists and deny citizens their right to information.”
Digital Governance Battle Lines Drawn
Facing what delegates described as “rapidly evolving digital ecosystems,” NIMCA expressed alarm over growing misinformation campaigns, algorithmic bias, and opaque social media platform practices that threaten information integrity across Africa.
The network endorsed UNESCO’s Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms and called for regulatory frameworks that hold technology companies accountable while protecting freedom of expression.
“We cannot allow Silicon Valley algorithms to determine what information reaches African citizens,” said one delegate, reflecting widespread concern about foreign control over Africa’s information landscape.
AI Regulation and Newsroom Standards
Delegates highlighted the increasing use of artificial intelligence in content creation and news curation, warning of ethical challenges to accuracy, transparency, and editorial independence.
NIMCA called for establishing regulatory guardrails and newsroom-level practices that maintain journalistic standards while fostering technological innovation—a balancing act that reflects the continent’s push for digital transformation without sacrificing media integrity.
Gender Equity and Disability Inclusion Prioritised
The network committed to institutionalising gender balance across all governance structures and promoting inclusive media regulation practices, emphasising the need for accessible content and newsroom cultures that reflect diverse lived experiences.
This focus on inclusion comes as African media organisations face pressure to better represent the continent’s demographic diversity in both coverage and leadership.
Funding Crisis Acknowledged
Acknowledging the financial precarity facing many media councils and newsrooms, delegates called for increased investment in public interest journalism and innovative funding models for media regulation.
The appeal for support comes as traditional revenue streams decline and media organisations struggle to maintain independence amid economic pressures and political interference.
Continental Network Expansion
NIMCA extended invitations to all voluntary self-regulation and statutory independent news content regulatory councils across Africa to join the network, positioning itself as the continent’s primary vehicle for collaborative media governance.
The network’s formation represents a significant shift toward pan-African solutions to shared challenges in the information ecosystem, moving beyond individual country responses to cross-border issues like misinformation and platform regulation.
The AGM was held as part of the 2nd Pan-African Media Councils Summit, hosted by the Media Council of Tanzania, underscoring growing momentum for continental cooperation in media regulation and press freedom advocacy.
As Africa grapples with complex information ecosystem challenges, NIMCA’s emergence signals a new chapter in the continent’s fight for media independence and information integrity—one that prioritises self-regulation over government control and continental solidarity over fragmented national responses.
