Nairobi, Kenya – African media leaders are demanding a new era of transparency and ownership.
The declaration followed the fourth Africa Media Festival (AMF 2026), which concluded in Nairobi on Friday, February 27.
Participants at the festival noted that the continent is currently undergoing a significant generational and technological transformation, with digitally native audiences dictating how news is consumed and how politics is conducted.
A central theme of the gathering was the urgent need to move beyond mere content production.
Delegates argued that African creators must own their platforms, intellectual property, and distribution channels.
The rise of artificial intelligence dominated the high-level discussions.
Keynote speaker Daniel Kalinaki warned that foreign-owned, AI-driven outlets are masquerading as local news.
“These opaque algorithms are blurring the lines between authentic journalism and external influence,” Kalinaki warned.
He cautioned that AI-generated summaries and automated content pose a direct threat to news integrity.
The festival also highlighted a worrying trend among political leaders, who are now bypassing traditional journalists to engage directly with curated digital audiences.
This shift avoids difficult questions and limits public accountability in critical national conversations.
Participants acknowledged that legacy media models are in significant decline, with power shifting towards independent creators and decentralised media networks.
Martie Mtange, the festival curator, called for a “technologically mediated ecosystem” built on collaboration.
Despite these disruptions, the event concluded by celebrating those redefining African storytelling.
The inaugural “Creator for Good Award” was presented to Kenyan advocate Mike Muchiri, known as Ziya.
Ziya’s work through Civic Rights Africa reflects a move towards impact-driven, civic storytelling.
He dedicated his award to creators who refuse to remain silent in the face of corruption and human rights abuses.
Other winners included Robert Amalemba and Umar Farouk for excellence in human rights journalism.
Professor Kwame Karikari was also honoured for his lifelong advocacy of African press freedom.
The two-day event drew over 200 organisations from 31 countries, under the theme “Resilient Storytelling,” solidifying its role as a hub for African innovation.
The message from Nairobi was clear: Africa must own its digital future or risk losing its voice.
Discussion about this post