Media leaders from across Africa have issued a strong call for greater transparency, accountability, and ownership in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The call was made at the 2026 Africa Media Festival (AMF) in Nairobi, Kenya.
The festival brought together journalists, editors, and media stakeholders from over 30 countries to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving digital media landscape. It ended with a clarion call for journalists across the continent to adopt a more responsible approach in this era of AI-assisted reporting.
Held under the theme “Resilient Storytelling: Reimagining Media Freedom,” the two-day event highlighted the growing influence of AI in newsrooms and its potential impact on the credibility and independence of African journalism. Participants stressed that while AI offers efficiency in content production and distribution, it also carries risks related to bias, misinformation, and erosion of editorial control.
In his keynote address, Daniel Kalinaki, Ugandan journalist and chair of the Baraza Media Lab board, warned that many AI-powered digital outlets, though appearing local, are often foreign-owned and algorithm-driven, raising questions about authenticity and accountability.
“With AI increasingly shaping how we consume information, we are seeing the emergence of fast-growing digital outlets that appear local but are foreign-owned and AI-driven,” Kalinaki said.
“It is vital that media houses maintain editorial oversight to protect the integrity of journalism and public trust.”
Other speakers highlighted how political leaders are leveraging AI-driven platforms to bypass traditional media, a trend that could weaken transparency and public accountability. They urged African media organisations to adopt robust frameworks for ethical AI use, ensuring that technology supports rather than undermines credible reporting.
The festival also included discussions on digital media regulation, collaborative newsroom models, and capacity-building for journalists navigating the AI era. Organisers and participants called for innovative policies, strong ethical guidelines, and cross-border cooperation to safeguard the continent’s storytelling network.
In addition to policy discussions, the festival celebrated excellence in journalism and digital storytelling with the inaugural ‘Creator for Good Award’, recognising creators driving civic engagement and social impact.
The Africa Media Festival 2026 closed with a unified message: as AI transforms the media industry, accountability, transparency, and editorial integrity must remain at the heart of African journalism.
Senior Reporter/Editor
Bio: Ugochukwu is a freelance journalist and Editor at AIbase.ng, with a strong professional focus on investigative reporting. He holds a degree in Mass Communication and brings extensive experience in news gathering, reporting, and editorial writing. With over a decade of active engagement across diverse news outlets, he contributes in-depth analytical, practical, and expository articles exploring artificial intelligence and its real-world impact. His seasoned newsroom experience and well-established information networks provide AIbase.ng with credible, timely, and high-quality coverage of emerging AI developments.