The news industry on the African continent like the rest of the world, is going through a period of uncertainty. While rapid technological changes present exciting new opportunities for journalism, they also pose widespread threats to jobs and quality journalism. Growing rates of access to the internet has also brought with it innumerable sources of information with very little or no verification leading to a huge misinformation and disinformation phenomenon.

Industries such as the Print is in fatal decline. Television and Radio audiences keep dropping. Advertising with media houses is no longer attractive with the likes of Facebook, Instagram and Google offering better and effective ways of targeting consumers.

Journalists continue to suffer attacks from government officials, security agencies, terrorists and other individuals for simply doing their jobs. Impunity, unfavourable legislations against the media, limited freedom of the press and waning trust in the media due to falling professional standards continue to be barriers to attaining a robust media.
As if these challenges are not enough, they had to be compounded by a global coronavirus pandemic which has exacerbated the already existing challenges.

Currently, the scenario of a post-COVID-19 global recession is stirring fears in the news business industry in many countries with many turning heads on what the future holds for journalism. The objective of the session is to bring into sharp focus:

• What new business models can news organizations explore to remain financially sustainable.
• What is the impact of the political climate in Africa on journalism practice and journalists’ safety and wellbeing?
• The role of content in elevating the standards of journalism in Africa?
• New threats and restrictions that have an effect on press freedom

Order of Session

The session will have a moderator and four panellists. The will moderator steer the discussion along the focus identified above. The moderator will also facilitate the question and answer session from the virtual and in-person audience.

Moderator and Panel Members

Moderator: Nana Ama Agyemang Asante, journalist (areas of interest gender politics and economy)

Panellists

• Churchill Otieno, President, Editors Guild Kenya
• Samba Badji, Chief Editor, Africa Check
• Oyedapo Oyekunle Olorunyomi, Co-founder, CEO and Publisher of Nigerian newspaper Premium Times
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