African media leaders have issued a strong call for transparency, accountability and ownership in the age of artificial intelligence as the fourth edition of the Africa Media Festival (AMF 2026) concluded in Nairobi today.
Held under the theme “Resilient Storytelling: Reimagining Media Freedom,” the two-day convening brought together more than 200 organisations from 31 countries, positioning the festival as a critical platform for collaboration, innovation and collective problem-solving across Africa’s rapidly evolving media landscape.
The call to action comes amid a generational transformation reshaping both media and political engagement across the continent. Younger, digitally native audiences are consuming news differently — and increasingly influencing civic discourse, political accountability and the structure of media power itself.
Discussions at AMF 2026 were dominated by converging pressures redefining journalism: shrinking newsroom revenues, regulatory constraints, the expanding power of digital platforms, and the disruptive influence of artificial intelligence.
Ugandan journalist and Baraza Media Lab board chair Daniel Kalinaki warned of the growing risks posed by opaque AI systems and foreign-controlled digital outlets that blur the boundaries between authentic journalism and algorithmically generated narratives.
“With AI increasingly shaping the nature of how we consume information, we are seeing the emergence of fast-growing digital outlets that we perceive to be local but which in reality are foreign-owned and AI-driven,” Kalinaki said in his keynote address.
“This blurs the lines between authentic journalism and externally influenced narratives.”
He raised concerns about bias, credibility and the integrity of African news ecosystems, particularly as AI-generated summaries, automated content production and algorithm-driven distribution systems reshape how information is produced and consumed.
Participants also highlighted a growing trend of political leaders bypassing traditional media altogether, opting instead for direct digital engagement through curated online audiences.
The shift, they warned, risks weakening accountability and enabling the manipulation of public discourse around critical socio-political and economic issues.
While acknowledging the pressures facing legacy institutions, festival curator Martie Mtange reflected on what she described as an inevitable transformation rather than a simple decline.
“What lies ahead is not simply the decline of legacy institutions, but the emergence of a more decentralised, creator-driven and technologically mediated ecosystem,” she said.
“One that will require new models of ownership, stronger collaboration and a renewed commitment to transparency.”
Collaboration emerged as a defining theme throughout the festival, with strong calls for African journalists and creators to rethink ownership — moving beyond content production to controlling platforms, intellectual property and distribution channels.
Media innovators argued that the future sustainability of African journalism will depend not only on adapting to technology, but on asserting greater control over digital infrastructure and revenue models.
Despite the structural challenges confronting the industry, AMF 2026 closed on a celebratory note with the Africa Media Awards (AMA), recognising journalists, creators and innovators reshaping storytelling across the continent.
A standout moment was the introduction of the ‘Creator for Good Award,’ signalling a deliberate shift toward recognising impact-driven digital storytelling and civic engagement.
The inaugural award was presented to Kenyan content creator Mike Muchiri, popularly known as Ziya, founder of Civic Rights Africa.
“I am deeply honoured to be the recipient of the inaugural ‘Creator for Good’ Award,” Ziya said. “This award is not just for me; it is shared with every creator who chooses not to be silent in the face of corruption and disregard for human dignity.”
According to Baraza Media Lab, Ziya’s evolution from a comedic digital entertainer to a purpose-driven civic advocate reflects broader shifts within Africa’s media ecosystem — where influence is increasingly tied to authenticity, identity and measurable social impact.
In the Human Rights Journalism Award category, Robert Amalemba of Kenya emerged winner, with Umar Farouk of Nigeria as first runner-up and Tracy Bonareri of Kenya as second runner-up.
Professor Kwame Karikari, who earlier received The Africa Editors Forum Lifetime Service to Journalism Award at the Africa Editors Congress, was also acknowledged for his decades-long advocacy for press freedom across the continent.
Beyond formal discussions, organisers incorporated wellness programming — including therapy support and informal activities — in recognition of the emotional toll faced by journalists covering conflict, repression and industry instability.
As AMF 2026 drew to a close, the message from Nairobi was clear: Africa’s media future will be shaped not only by technology, but by how boldly journalists, creators and institutions assert ownership, defend transparency and reimagine freedom in a digitally mediated age.