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)

The latest report by Africa No Filter investigates news and content about business in Africa and the impact of perceptions about Africa as a business and investment destination. It also identifies information and news gaps that offer alternative framing for business in Africa. The report shows another ‘scramble for Africa’ by foreign powers is underway in international media and that keywords, stories, frames, and narratives associated with business on the continent are dangerously distorted. There is an overemphasis on the role of governments, foreign powers, and larger African states alongside an under appreciation of the role of young people, women, entrepreneurs, creative businesses, smaller successful African states, and Africa’s future potential. https://africanofilter.org/the-business-in-africa-narrative-report

Dube Divine CEO is the CEO of The Citizen Bulletin He's an alumnus of the JSK Fellowship at Stanford University. Relevant links: https://www.thecitizenbulletin.com/ https://medium.com/@divine_dube

Sipho Kings is the Editorial Director at The Continent Twitter:@SiphoKings @thecontinent_

Democracy & Media series. Episode 8: Laura Miti - Executive Director Alliance for Community Action by Dickens Olewe

Odanga Madung is a Mozilla Fellow, he is the co-founder of Odipo Dev, a data Consultancy in Nairobi. He researches the impact the internet in having in societies in Africa. Twitter: @Odangaring Relevant links: In Kenya, Influencers Are Hired to Spread Disinformation https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-in-kenya-influencers-are-hired-to-spread-disinformation/

Editor of The Gambia's Standard newspaper Relevant links: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-45917294

Moudwe Daga is researching Recognition Theory/Frantz Fanon & Race in IR Theory/Statehood in Central Africa/Chad at SOAS University of London

Sekou Owino is the Head of Legal & Training at Nation Media Group Limited in Kenya Relevant links: Judiciary and informed citizenry the vanguards of our constitution https://nation.africa/kenya/blogs-opinion/opinion/judiciary-and-informed-citizenry-the-vanguards-of-our-constitution-3526582

Joseph Asunka is the CEO of Afrobarometer, starting his term from April 2021. Twitter: @joeasunka Relevant links: Democracy in Africa: Demand, supply, and the ‘dissatisfied democrat’ https://afrobarometer.org/publications/pp54-democracy-africa-demand-supply-and-dissatisfied-democrat

Dr. Roselyn Akombe is the Governance and Peacebuilding Regional Coordinator at UNDP's Regional Service Centre for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with additional offices in Dakar, Senegal and Nairobi, Kenya and serving 45 Country Offices. Twitter: @DrRoselynAkombe Relevant links: A renewed discourse on managing inclusive transitions in Africa https://www.accord.org.za/analysis/a-renewed-discourse-on-managing-inclusive-transitions-in-africa/

Moky Makura is the Executive Director of Africa No Filter. She was born in Nigeria, educated in England and has lived in London, Johannesburg and Lagos. Twitter:@mokymakura Relevant links:How not to write about an African election https://www.theafricareport.com/126182/how-not-to-write-about-an-african-election/ How African media covers Africa http://www.africanofilter.org/research-how-african-media-covers-africa

Chair, FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION, AFRICA

Dominant narratives about the contemporary problem of “fake news” and cyber-propaganda have focused on how its evolution and manifestation has been closely linked with the rise of populist politics, digital capitalism, the transformation of the public sphere and structural weaknesses of liberal and mainstream media. These narratives often use the Western gaze as an analytical and theoretical toolkit to understand a global phenomenon, thereby missing local specificities and nuances. Read the full article by Admire Mare and Hayes Mabweazara https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23743670.2020.1788295

'Travelling While Black' with Nanjala Nyabola. A conversation hosted by Housmans bookshop