Her Media Diary

Dr Yemisi Akinbobola
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Her Media Diary is a podcast by African Women in Media (AWiM) focused on women in media, journalism, storytelling, and digital content across Africa and the global diaspora. The podcast explores gender and media, women’s leadership in journalism, media safety, representation, media policy, advocacy, and feminist storytelling. Each episode features conversations with African women journalists, media professionals, content creators, editors, researchers, and gender advocates working across newsrooms, digital media, podcasts, film, and communications. Topics include women’s voices in media, gender equality, freedom of expression, online and offline safety, narrative power, media accountability, and social change. Her Media Diary is designed for journalists, media practitioners, feminists, researchers, students, and anyone interested in African media, women’s rights, storytelling, and gender justice. The podcast documents how women are shaping media systems and public narratives, while building a safer, more inclusive media ecosystem.

  1. Give to Gain: Redefining Philanthropy for Women's Movement

    MAR 8

    Give to Gain: Redefining Philanthropy for Women's Movement

    Binaifer Nowrojee is the president of the Open Society Foundations, the world's largest private funder dedicated to advancing human rights, equity, and justice. She is an international human rights lawyer whose career spans strategic litigation, advocacy, research, and philanthropy across Africa and Asia Pacific. Earlier in her career, she investigated sexual violence during the Rwandan genocide with Human Rights Watch, contributing to the first convictions recognizing rape as a weapon of war. Today, she continues to influence global conversations on rights, accountability, and the redistribution of power. In this special International Women's Day 2025 episode, Dr. Yemisi Akinbobola sits down with Binaifer to explore the global theme Gift to Gain and what it truly means for African women, institutions, and the future of gender justice on the continent. A key focus of the episode is intergenerational collaboration. Binaifer speaks passionately about the moral imagination of Gen Z African women and how older feminists must remain humble enough to learn from new organizing strategies while also offering the institutional support and legal infrastructure built over decades. She closes with a vision of African women putting their heads and hands together across sectors, lifting the continent through passion, commitment, and a shared humanity that rejects single stories and celebrates multiplicity. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Give to Gain and Gender Justice in Africa 00:00:56 Meet Binaifer Nowrojee: First African Woman President of Open Society 00:02:24 Growing Up as a Minority: Identity and Early Awareness of Injustice 00:03:32 From Dictatorship to Democracy: The Pro-Democracy Movement in Kenya 00:05:17 Books, Writers and Awakening: Shaping a Feminist Consciousness 00:06:24 College in America: Finding Her Voice Through Anti-Apartheid Activism 00:07:35 Audre Lorde and Feminist Identity: When I Dare to Be Powerful 00:08:35 Human Rights Watch and Rwanda: Documenting Sexual Violence as a War Crime 00:10:54 What Give to Gain Means: Standing With Women on the Front Lines 00:12:42 Leadership at Open Society: A Different Kind of Philanthropy 00:14:35 Charlotte Maxeke's Legacy: If You Rise, Bring Someone With You 00:15:42 Glass Cliffs and Backlash: The Reality for Women in Power 00:18:31 Beyond Funding: What Meaningful Giving to African Women Really Requires 00:20:30 Gen Z Leadership and Moral Imagination for a New World 00:21:49 The Kigali Declaration: Addressing Gender Violence in Media 00:23:01 From Recipients to Shapers: African Women and Philanthropic Power 00:24:30 What Governments Must Give: Access, Opportunity and Getting Out of the Way 00:26:21 The Danger of a Single Story: Why Who Tells the Story Matters 00:27:37 Intergenerational Collaboration: What Each Generation Brings 00:30:05 A Vision for African Women: Passion, Commitment and Shared Humanity 00:31:28 What Philanthropy Must Give Up: Humility and the Power of Listening 00:32:25 Closing Reflections: Demanding Structural Change, Not Just Celebration If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your support helps amplify conversations that strengthen media ecosystems across Africa. Interested in joining a future episode of Her Media Diary? Email: yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com (mailto:yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com) You can also listen via our partner radio stations across Africa, and join the ongoing conversation using #HerMediaDiary. Her Media Diary is produced by African Women in Media (AWiM). Follow African Women in Media (AWiM): Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/share/1ARgsBptVC/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/african-women-in-media/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@realawim?_r=1&_t=ZS-93QVDxwCcv1) X (Twitter) (https://x.com/RealAWiM) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninmedia?igsh=MXA4NTc4NjF1NTFnbQ==)

    34 min
  2. A Queer Feminist's Fight for Digital Safe Spaces

    MAR 3

    A Queer Feminist's Fight for Digital Safe Spaces

    Charity Nafula is a queer feminist, certified accountant, podcaster, and passionate advocate for digital dignity. As the Executive Director of Queer Prism 256, Charity uses podcasting and art to amplify the everyday lives of marginalized women in Uganda, creating intentional safe spaces for queer women to share their stories without fear of judgment or exposure. In this episode, Dr Yemisi Akinbobola sits down with Charity to explore her journey from growing up in a religious home in Uganda to discovering her sexuality in secondary school, and eventually joining the LGBTQ community in 2015. Charity opens up about the moment she first saw pride coverage in the news and her deep desire to be part of it, even when she couldn't physically attend. She reflects on how she never saw her identity as something negative, which gave her the courage to step fully into advocacy work that now spans accounting, activism, and storytelling. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the intersection of technology, AI, and gender-based violence within queer communities. Charity shares harrowing examples of tech-facilitated GBV—from being outed on TikTok alongside other queer activists, to the fear of being blackmailed, doxxed, or having her home vandalized. She describes the anxiety of relocating for safety, and the devastating impact on friends who risked losing their marriages and children due to online exposure. Charity calls out how social media platforms and AI tools are weaponized against marginalized communities, and challenges tech companies to prioritize ethical design, survivor-centered surveys, and proactive safety measures before launching new platforms. Charity also envisions what a queer feminist AI tool could look like—one rooted in storytelling support, mental health resources, counter-misinformation capabilities, and radical inclusivity. Charity's message is clear: queer people are not defined by their sexuality; they are parents, taxpayers, contributors to the economy, and deserving of dignity, safety, and representation. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Amplifying Marginalized Voices Through Media 00:01:14 Growing Up and Discovering Identity in a Religious Home 00:03:58 Wearing Many Hats: Activism Meets Accounting 00:05:18 Being Visible as a Queer Woman in Uganda 00:06:19 Creating Queer Prism 256: A Safe Space for Women 00:07:44 What a Safe Space Really Means: Trust and Accountability 00:09:29 Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence: The Daily Reality 00:13:19 The TikTok Outing: A Personal Story of Fear and Survival 00:16:57 Source Her: Connecting Journalists with African Female Experts 00:18:13 AI, Deepfakes, and Digital Surveillance: Weaponizing Technology 00:18:48 What Tech Companies Must Do: Centering Survivors and Safety 00:26:37 Algorithmic Erasure and Hate Speech Amplification 00:27:10 Media's Role: Reporting for Change, Not Just Clicks 00:31:23 Designing a Queer Feminist AI Tool: Healing and Storytelling 00:35:12 Final Message: Be Kind, Be Human, Report with Empathy 00:38:27 Closing Reflections: Designing Differently for Joy and Care If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your support helps amplify conversations that strengthen media ecosystems across Africa. Interested in joining a future episode of Her Media Diary? Email: yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com (mailto:yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com) You can also listen via our partner radio stations across Africa, and join the ongoing conversation using #HerMediaDiary. Her Media Diary is produced by African Women in Media (AWiM). Follow African Women in Media (AWiM): Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/share/1ARgsBptVC/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/african-women-in-media/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@realawim?_r=1&_t=ZS-93QVDxwCcv1) X (Twitter) (https://x.com/RealAWiM) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninmedia?igsh=MXA4NTc4NjF1NTFnbQ==)

    40 min

  3. TRAILER

    Asking the Uncomfortable Questions About Women in Media - Official Trailer

    Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favorite podcast platforms. Tune in via our partner radio stations across Africa, and join the ongoing conversation using #HerMediaDiary. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: The Uncomfortable Questions We Need to Ask 00:00:14 Who Protects Women in Media? Safety and Consequences 00:00:20 Representation and Solutions: Who Decides Our Stories? 00:00:34 Meet Dr. Yemisi Akinbobola: Experience Across Media Systems 00:00:48 The Visibility Paradox: Labour, Power and Safety 00:00:55 Centering the Conversation: Voices of Successful African Women 00:01:08 Inside and Outside: Interrogating Media from Critical Distance 00:01:21 Why This Matters: Uncomfortable but Necessary Questions 00:01:29 What You'll Gain: Tools, Orientation and Understanding 00:01:42 Join the Conversation: Where to Listen and Learn More If you'd like to join a future episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com (mailto:yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com). Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com Her Media Diary is produced by African Women in Media (AWiM). Follow African Women in Media (AWiM): Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/share/1ARgsBptVC/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/african-women-in-media/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@realawim?_r=1&_t=ZS-93QVDxwCcv1) X (Twitter) (https://x.com/RealAWiM) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninmedia?igsh=MXA4NTc4NjF1NTFnbQ==)

    2 min
  4. The 'Single Story' is Killing Africa: Can AI Change the Narrative?

    FEB 17

    The 'Single Story' is Killing Africa: Can AI Change the Narrative?

    Moky Makura is the Executive Director of Africa No Filter, a donor collaborative working to shift stereotypical narratives about Africa through storytelling, research, and advocacy. With a rich career spanning media, philanthropy, and narrative change, Moky has dedicated decades to challenging the single story told about the continent. In this episode, Dr. Yemisi Akinbobola sits down with Moky to explore her personal journey from growing up in Lagos to becoming a leading voice in the fight against African stereotypes. Moky traces her awakening back to the 1985 Live Aid concert, a moment that crystallized how Africa was being depicted to the world—not as a diverse continent of 54 countries, but as a monolithic place defined solely by poverty and crisis. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on artificial intelligence and its implications for African journalism. Moky introduces the Africa Bias Buster, an AI tool developed by Africa No Filter that doesn't write stories for journalists, but instead identifies biases in their reporting—flagging missing voices, problematic framing, and stereotypical language. She explains the journey of building this tool, the challenges of training AI with better narratives about Africa, and why existing AI platforms still perpetuate limited, stereotypical views of the continent. Moky also addresses the changing philanthropic landscape and how Africa No Filter is adapting by seeking African funding and launching Opportunity Africa—a brand campaign positioning the continent through the lens of opportunity, progress, and innovation rather than dependency and crisis. She argues passionately that narrative change is not PR, but a platform on which all development work must stand, because unless Africans believe in their own continent, no intervention will truly succeed. Moky challenges journalists to look back at their body of work and ask: what single story have I been telling about my country? Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: AI, African Newsrooms & Narrative Change 00:01:25 Meet Moky Makura: From Lagos to Global Narrative Change 00:03:03 The Live Aid Moment: When Stereotypes Took Hold 00:06:06 The Power of Narrative: How Stories Shape Beliefs and Actions 00:10:11 Moky's Personal Mission: From Living It to Africa No Filter 00:12:48 African Newsrooms as Part of the Problem 00:16:02 AI Readiness in African Newsrooms: Challenges and Opportunities 00:17:56 The Africa Bias Buster: Building an AI Tool for Better Journalism 00:19:18 Training Journalists: The Story Telling Skills Gap 00:23:41 Building the Bias Buster: The Technical Journey 00:29:57 Whose Perspective? Defining Bias from an African Lens 00:33:35 The Funding Landscape: Philanthropy, Politics & African Media 00:35:49 Opportunity Africa: Branding the Continent for Young People 00:38:11 Closing Reflections: The Journey Continues If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your support helps amplify conversations that strengthen media ecosystems across Africa. Interested in joining a future episode of Her Media Diary? Email: yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com (mailto:yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com) You can also listen via our partner radio stations across Africa, and join the ongoing conversation using #HerMediaDiary. Her Media Diary is produced by African Women in Media (AWiM), and this episode is sponsored by Luminate Follow African Women in Media (AWiM): Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/share/1ARgsBptVC/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/african-women-in-media/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@realawim?_r=1&_t=ZS-93QVDxwCcv1) X (Twitter) (https://x.com/RealAWiM) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninmedia?igsh=MXA4NTc4NjF1NTFnbQ==)

    40 min
  5. How Investing in Local Newsrooms Can Help Fight Corruption

    FEB 3

    How Investing in Local Newsrooms Can Help Fight Corruption

    Recorded live at the African Women in Media 2025 Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this special episode explores the critical theme of investing in local media and journalism, with a particular focus on the MacArthur Foundation's On Nigeria Programme. Dr. Yemisi Akinbobola is joined by three remarkable women whose work spans policy, community accountability, and local journalism: Fatima Mohammed Ahmed, Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists in Gombe State; Dr. Adaobi Obiabumuo, Programme Manager and founding member of the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development (PRIMORG); and Oluwadara Ajala, Programme Manager of Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) for West and East Africa. The conversation delves into why local journalism matters, particularly in conflict-affected regions where women journalists work with extraordinary courage despite facing cultural barriers, safety risks, and limited resources. Fatima speaks powerfully about the need for trust-building between journalists and communities recovering from trauma, while Adaobi emphasizes how local journalism holds duty bearers accountable and gives voice to marginalized communities. One of the key discussions revolves around sustainability beyond donor funding. The panel explores alternative revenue models for media organizations, with Dara challenging the notion that audiences won't pay for quality journalism. She argues that media organizations need to move beyond advertising dependency and embrace audience revenue, citing examples like Daily Maverick's successful membership model. The episode also addresses the role of philanthropy in strengthening local journalism without compromising editorial independence, the importance of community engagement strategies, and how investigative journalism has led to tangible policy changes and government accountability in Nigeria. Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. If you'd like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com (mailto:yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com). Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms. Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don't forget to join the conversation using the hashtag #hermediadiary. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Live from African Women in Media 2025 00:00:43 Meet the Panel: Three Voices from Nigeria's Media Ecosystem 00:02:00 Why Local Journalism Matters: Personal Perspectives 00:06:07 The Role of Philanthropy in Strengthening Local Media 00:07:39 Real Change on the Ground: Impact Stories 00:10:29 Journalism in Conflict Zones: The Borno State Experience 00:13:42 Critical Skills and Resources for Local Journalists 00:19:58 The Kigali Declaration: Addressing Gender Violence in Media 00:21:11 Tools and Training That Make a Difference 00:23:08 Measuring Impact: Does Media Support Actually Work? 00:25:07 MacArthur Foundation's Impact in Northern Nigeria 00:28:42 Challenges Despite Support: Sustainability and Government Restrictions 00:30:30 Media Revenue Models: Beyond Advertising 00:41:27 Collaboration Without Compromising Independence 00:45:04 Radio vs Social Media for Accountability Campaigns 00:46:50 Advice for Young Journalists Driving Accountability 00:48:20 What Donors Underestimate in Northern Nigeria 00:49:30 Future Opportunities: Community-Centered Journalism 00:50:41 What Gives Us Hope: Closing Reflections 00:52:27 Closing Remarks: Investing in Nation-Building Her Media Diary is a product of African Women in Media (AWiM), and this episode is sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation. Follow AWiM: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/share/1ARgsBptVC/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/african-women-in-media/ TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@realawim?_r=1&_t=ZS-93QVDxwCcv1 X (Twitter): https://x.com/RealAWiM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninmedia?igsh=MXA4NTc4NjF1NTFnbQ==

    54 min
  6. Her Media Diary Episode 51: "Achieving Digital Safety Through Creativity" with Neema Iyer

    09/16/2025

    Her Media Diary Episode 51: "Achieving Digital Safety Through Creativity" with Neema Iyer

    Neema Iyer is the founder of Pollicy, an innovative feminist civic technology collective in Kampala that combines data, design, and digital rights. Under her leadership, Pollicy has led 100+ projects, trained 5,000+ individuals in data skills, and created playful civic tools like “Digital Safe‑tea” and “Choose Your Own Fake News”. In 2021, she was appointed to Facebook/Meta’s Global Women’s Safety Advisory Board.One of the key discussions in this episode with Neema revolves around the necessity of centering African women's voices in technology. She emphasizes that digital tools should be designed with the needs of African women in mind, rather than being an afterthought. This perspective is crucial in a world where technology often perpetuates existing inequalities.The conversation also touches on the importance of play and creativity in learning. Neema argues that traditional educational methods can be restrictive, especially for girls. She believes that incorporating play into learning not only makes it more engaging but also fosters a deeper understanding of complex issues like digital safety and gender-based violence.This innovative approach is reflected in her work with Policy, where they utilize games and interactive tools to educate communities about digital safety in a way that feels accessible and relatable.Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.If you’d like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.comSubscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms. Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don’t forget to join the conversation using the hashtag #hermediadiary.

    41 min
  7. Her Media Diary Episode 50: "Spinning Truth to Power" with Farah Fortune

    09/09/2025

    Her Media Diary Episode 50: "Spinning Truth to Power" with Farah Fortune

    Farah Fortune is the founder & Managing Director of African Star Communications, a full-service PR agency, focusing on customized strategic public relations campaigns.Farah, dubbed ‘The Pitbull in Heels’, established her PR agency in 2008 with just R1,000, a laptop, and a phone, and is the brain behind some of the continent’s most iconic brand and celebrity campaigns.In this episode, Farah talks about starting from scratch, managing public crises, mentoring young women in PR, and vital tips every communications professional should have. She also talks about the benefits of building and maintaining a strong relationship with the media as a PR manager, being authentic and giving genuine, relevant information at all times.Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.If you’d like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.comSubscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms. Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don’t forget to join the conversation using the hashtag #hermediadiary.

    47 min
  8. Her Media Diary Episode 49: "Seen, Heard & Leading in Corporate Spaces" with Fatima Jones

    08/26/2025

    Her Media Diary Episode 49: "Seen, Heard & Leading in Corporate Spaces" with Fatima Jones

    Fatima Jones is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. With a career spanning over 20 years in public relations, marketing, and communications, predominantly in the nonprofit and arts sectors, her specialty lies in positioning cultural institutions in ways that not only increase visibility but also ensure they are culturally relevant, inclusive, and reflective of diverse audiences.In this episode, Fatima speaks on age-old strategies and principles for effective corporate communication that are still relevant today despite technological advancements.She cited times when she was asked to be seen and not heard; to just be the ‘black face’ in the room whose opinion is not needed. She also talks about some of the things that keep her going as a black female in the corporate communications sector, regardless of the many barriers that come with it.Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.If you’d like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.comSubscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms. Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don’t forget to join the conversation using the hashtag #hermediadiary.

    34 min
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About

Her Media Diary is a podcast by African Women in Media (AWiM) focused on women in media, journalism, storytelling, and digital content across Africa and the global diaspora. The podcast explores gender and media, women’s leadership in journalism, media safety, representation, media policy, advocacy, and feminist storytelling. Each episode features conversations with African women journalists, media professionals, content creators, editors, researchers, and gender advocates working across newsrooms, digital media, podcasts, film, and communications. Topics include women’s voices in media, gender equality, freedom of expression, online and offline safety, narrative power, media accountability, and social change. Her Media Diary is designed for journalists, media practitioners, feminists, researchers, students, and anyone interested in African media, women’s rights, storytelling, and gender justice. The podcast documents how women are shaping media systems and public narratives, while building a safer, more inclusive media ecosystem.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Yemisi Akinbobola
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Her Media Diary