3rd AMC Accra-2024 Ends As Declaration Seeks Massive Media Funding, Protection of Press Freedom, etal
The 3rd African Media Convention has ended but not without a declaration that resonated well with the teeming media professionals who attended the Convention.
The declaration sought to deal with current trends in the media space in Africa such as the persistent challenges facing African media, including threats to press freedom, lack of funding, limitations on innovation, poor digital literacy, inadequate coverage of environmental issues, barriers to diversity and inclusion, risks of undue influence on editorial content.
The theme of the Convention is “The African Media We Want: Enhancing Freedom, Innovation, and Environmental Sustainability in a Dynamic World.
It is the view of the Steering Committee of the Convention that the media in Africa will take environmental reporting seriously in order to protect the environment and address climate change.
Below is the full declaration
MIN ISTRY OF
IN FORMATION
REPUBLIC O F GH AN A
3RD AFRICAN MEDIA CONVENTION (AMC) Accra Declaration 2024
We, the media stakeholders gathered in Accra – Ghana, for the African Media Convention, from 15-17 May 2024, under the theme “The African Media We Want: Enhancing Freedom, Innovation, and Environmental Sustainability in a Dynamic World,” recognize the pivotal role of the media in fostering democracy, promoting innovation, and advocating environmental sustainability. In light of this, we make the following declarations and recommendations:
Appreciation and Recognition:
1. We acknowledge the indispensable role of the media in Africa’s development and its potential to shape public discourse, remove barriers for marginalised groups, foster innovation, and advocate environmental conservation and sustainability.
2. We identify and adopt the theme of the Summit, which highlights the imperative of enhancing freedom, fostering innovation, and promoting environmental sustainability within the African media landscape.
3. We call for mainstreaming of media and information literacy (MIL), and the eradication of barriers to inclusion in the media by excluded and marginalised groups in particular.
Challenges and Concerns:
4. We recognize the persistent challenges facing African media, including threats to press freedom, lack of funding, limitations on innovation, poor digital literacy, inadequate coverage of environmental issues, barriers to diversity and inclusion, risks of undue influence on editorial content.
5. We are deeply concerned about the under-representation of diverse voices, including persons with disabilities (PWDs) within the African media, and the need to break down barriers to access and participation.
6. We acknowledge the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance media work, but also the continuing threat of foreign global entities telling the African story.
7. We express concern over the insufficient coverage and awareness of environmental issues by African media outlets, hindering public engagement and action towards better environmental practices, management and sustainability by all.
Recommendations and Commitments:
8. We commit to fostering a conducive environment for media freedoms and independence across Africa, including the repeal, and/or amendment of laws that restrict press freedom and also ensure the protection of journalists from harassment and intimidation.
MIN ISTRY OF
IN FORMATION
REPUBLIC O F GH AN A
9. We call for increased reforms in media work-spaces, including better welfare and capacity building for the human resource of media entities; investment in innovation to respond to new interests and communities, the acquisition of digital skills for media operatives, gender rationalisation policies, the promotion of entrepreneurial journalism, and strategic business modules, the support for innovative media platforms that cater to diverse audiences, including persons with disabilities (PWDs), youth and women.
10. We advocate integration of disability and diversity inclusion into media employment practices and content generation through guidelines and frameworks on gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), ensuring that all voices are represented and heard within the African media landscape. This includes implementing affirmative action such as quota systems for PWD employment in media and other organizations and consistent coverage of public interest stories concerning persons with disabilities (PWDs) all year-round to promote awareness, understanding, and inclusion in African societies.
11. We emphasize the importance of media and information literacy (MIL) and advocate for increased linkages between media organizations and state and nonstate actors to enhance skills of journalists.
12. Foster partnerships with Academia to update journalism curricula that ensures journalists are equipped to navigate 21st century realities including new technology also to ensure curriculum development that produces evidencebased content through empirical research on climate changes and environmental concerns.
13. Encourage App developers to create applications aimed at assisting the media in data gathering and validation.
14. We propose revenue-sharing agreements with big Tech companies such as Meta, Google and X (formerly Twitter) to ensure that media organizations receive adequate compensation for their content shared across these platforms. This may involve collaboration with policymakers and international organizations to address regulatory gaps and promote a level playing field.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we re-affirm our commitment to building a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable media landscape in Africa; that upholds the principles of freedom, innovation, environmental responsibility, diversity, editorial independence, and affirmative action for PWDs. Through collective action and solidarity, we believe that the African media we envision will contribute significantly to the continent’s development and prosperity.
Source:newsflashafrica.com
