The breadth of activities on World Press Freedom Day (3 May) 2008 gave birth to a particularly positive development in the fight for press freedom in Africa. The African Editors’ Forum (TAEF) launched its third chapter in Eastern Africa. Sixty editors from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Somalia and Sudan gathered in Nairobi, Kenya to discuss the regional laws and regulations affecting the media in the region as well as the pivotal role they can play in securing press freedom.

As TAEF, inaugurated in South Africa in 2003, continues to grow, Mathatha Tsedu, Chairperson of TAEF, said that this newest incorporation shows “African media practitioners, many of whom work in the coal-face of media repression, have not been cowed into submission.”

The launch was especially opportune as journalists in Eastern Africa work under some of the worst conditions and the independent media is more than often at a low ebb. Specifically, Somalia continues to be the second most deadly country for journalists and scores have fled to find refuge elsewhere.

The meeting’s agenda identified areas in which editors can work to expose corruption and bad governance and to promote the right of access to information. Tsedu said to RAP 21 that the fight could begin to be won when it is realized that all African countries have already committed to media freedom through a series of passed protocols. “The problem is that many of these member states pay lip service to the protocols on human rights as well as the right to freedom of expression,” he said.

TAEF recognizes that standing on the bylines will not render full compliance to existing press freedom protocols nor the creation of stronger ones. Thus, under the umbrella of TAEF, editors can work in tandem as intermediary figures between journalists and government authorities to secure press freedom, professional supervisors in the field, and as advocates for open discussion.

Last year TAEF met with former Head of the African Union (AU) Commission, Professor Alpha Konare where they decided on three activities that would galvanize civil society via exposing government failures of recognizing the entire gamut of a free press.

First, the AU will designate a day that would be honoured every year as Africa Media day to highlight the role of media in democracy and general development. Second, an entire year would be designated as the African Year of Media Freedom, during which the AU and TAEF would expose the public to the problems encountered by the media through a series of sponsored activities. Third, a debate will be scheduled between editors and Heads of State to discuss their roles and responsibilities. The proposals for these activities have been formally accepted and the specifics are forthcoming.

Specific to the Nairobi meeting, “TAEF also resolved to create a regional code of ethics which can be a benchmark for journalism conduct in the region,” said Tsedu to RAP 21. “The code, once drafted, will be based on the universal ethics that govern journalism, with specific consideration for cultural nuances that apply to the different regions,” he said.

International Media Support (IMS) also launched its Kenyan edition conflict sensitive journalism handbook during the Forum as part of the organisation’s continuing efforts to support the Kenyan media after the post-election violence.

“The handbook is designed to be a practical everyday guide, which seeks to contribute to the theoretical refinement and practical realisation of conflict sensitive journalism as a tool for usage by Kenyan media practitioners covering conflicts,” said IMS.

“There is a new perspective in treating stories; more sensitivity and consideration than before. Journalists now avoid the use of words such as “the dreaded Mungiki or Sabaot Land Defences Force” to refer to two militia groups that have been a source of concern to the Kenyan government,” said William Janak, Chairman of the Kenyan Correspondents Association (KCA), to RAP 21 about conflict sensitive journalism.

Musa Radoli, Secretary General of the KCA, who was present at the meeting spoke to RAP 21 about other topical issues raised in the meeting that threaten professional journalism in the area.

“It needs to be ensured that journalists and media owners conform strictly to their duties of working at the highest professional standards and ethics. Journalists and media educators also need to embrace a learning culture by committing to ongoing education, training and research,” Radoli said.

Concurrently it is imperative that journalists receive adequate support and remuneration inasmuch as it is a prerequisite to professionalism. To this end, Ignatius Kabagame from Rwanda said during the meeting that relieving human resource constraints would be a top priority.

Among the most pressing challenges the new regional body will have to address is, “the repeal of archaic colonial legislation entrenched in the countries within the region that have for decades after independence continued to adversely affect media operations...[and protect] the same corrupt powerful individuals,” said Chairman of the Kenya Editors Guild, Macharia Gaitho.

Dr. Mvungi of the Tanzania Media Council believes “enacting Freedom of Information Acts and repealing Official Secret Acts...[is] not enough, the media industry stakeholders have to go an extra mile to entrench their freedoms and independence,” reported Radoli.

As illustrated by the participants of the forum the fight for press freedom is a multi-faceted and multi-layered battle that will require recognition of press freedom commitments, a series of legislative amendments, transparent governmental actions, and an appreciation for diverse dialogue and independent news coverage. To this end, the range of activities of TAEF will lend much needed support and advocacy to put the future of the press within the grasp of the public.

photo credit: International Media Support (IMS)