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As I prepare to step back from frontline reporting, I wanted to share this conversation I had with my friend Frenny Jowi about journalism and why I believe the media on the continent should default to a crisis mode.

The Africa Journalism and Media Summit is an annual congregation of stakeholders from the media, academia, government, civil society and business organized by the Zimbabwe Centre for Media and Information Literacy (ZCMIL) with support from the Konrad Adenuer Stiftung. The summit is inclusive, collaborative and interactive and enables participants from Zimbabwe and Africa in general, to exchange knowledge and ideas about the role journalism and media plays in shaping democracy while they map out strategies for building strong and resilient media institutions that foster a vibrant civil society.
This year’s hybrid edition of the Africa Journalism and Media Summit will be held under the theme “Journalism and Democracy in a ‘Post-News’ World: Promises and Perils” and will take place from 31 Aug. - 2 Sept. 2022 in BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE https://www.facebook.com/events/d41d8cd9/africa-journalism-media-summit-2022/1096768577715761/

Discussion focussed on a comprehensive research about media viability in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania by the Media Innovation Centre at Aga Khan University and DW Akademie.

Featuring:

Carol Beyanga (UGANDA) – Head of Mentorships, Partnerships and Monetization at Nation Media Group
Henry Maina (KENYA) – Lecturer University of Nairobi, Media Complaints Commissioner, former Regional Director of Article 19
Tony Kirita (TANZANIA) – Founder, The Chanzo Initiative (online news platform)

Quality journalism is positively related to innovation – meaning that media houses that invest in quality journalism seem to be more innovative and vice versa.
However quality journalism is challenged by issues such as intimidation and pressure from political entities, funders and advertisers. This pressure and intimidation was found to be present in all three East African countries, though at varying levels: it was highest in Uganda and lowest in Tanzania.

Listen to this discussion focussed on a comprehensive research about media viability in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania by the Media Innovation Centre at Aga Khan University and DW Akademie.

Featuring:
Rose Kimani (KENYA) – Project Manager, DW Akademie
Joseph Elunya (UGANDA) – Director, Centre for Investigative Journalism, Uganda

Media houses were already struggling before the COVID-19 pandemic, with only about 50% having broken even or made a profit in 2019.
The pandemic led to a decrease in advertising demand but at the same time an increase in demand for information, and, therefore, larger audiences.
Most media houses adapted to the pandemic only with layoffs and paycuts, but did not transform their business model, which is a key mark of business resilience in crisis.

Listen to this discussion focussed on a comprehensive research about media viability in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania by the Media Innovation Centre at Aga Khan University and DW Akademie.
Featuring:
Hesbon Hansen Ochieng Owilla (KENYA) – Research Associate, AKU-GSMC
Philip Mwaniki (KENYA) – Head of Digital, Royal Media Services (RMS)
Tony Kirita (TANZANIA) – Founder, The Chanzo Initiative (online news platform)

Listen to this discussion focussed on a comprehensive research about media viability in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania by the Media Innovation Centre at Aga Khan University and DW Akademie.

Featuring:
Njoki Chege (KENYA) – Director, Media Innovation Centre, Nairobi
Hesbon Hansen Ochieng Owilla (KENYA) – Research Associate, Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications (AKU-GSMC)