Addis Ababa, April 11, 2023 (FBC) – The Southern African Editors’ Forum (SAEF) is finalizing preparations to host the second African Media Convention from May 11, 2023 to May 13, 2023 in Zambia.
According to AU, the Continental conference is to be held a week after the global celebrations of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) in May.
The first of such conventions designed to safeguard the hard-won media freedoms and safety of journalists on the continent was held in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2022, AU has mentioned.
AU stated that the African Media Convention brings together media experts, scholars, students, journalists, journalists’ unions and associations, editors, public and private sector, including cooperating partners from around the African continent and beyond.
The African Media Stakeholders’ Convention is a moment of reflection by African media stakeholders on the revolving trends that impede freedom of expression and freedom of the media, most significantly the persistent deterioration of these rights on the continent, it added.
It is also an opportunity to recognise those countries and institutions that promote freedom of expression as provided for in various African Union human rights instruments and to raise awareness among political actors on the benefits of a climate conducive to freedom of expression, AU explained.
It further explained that the convention offers an opportunity for participants to look at how freedom of expression can be mainstreamed in continental governance processes, and to benefit from key players in the African governance architecture.
Zambia is one of the countries that have made efforts to create a conducive environment for the media to flourish. As such, it was chosen to host the Second African Media Stakeholders Convention, AU has indicated.