East African regulators call for greater cooperation to protect the press
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Panorama
East African media regulators and partners are calling for stronger regional cooperation to defend press freedom and support the sustainability of media businesses. The call came at a meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, bringing together institutions from six countries to review, among other things, the East African Press Councils’ 2024-2027 strategic plan, Panorama reports.
East African press councils and development partners are calling for stronger regional cooperation to protect press freedom, support journalists and improve the economic sustainability of media outlets, Panorama reports. The appeal was made at a regional retreat in Arusha, Tanzania, organised by the East African Press Councils, which brings together institutions from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Participants are reviewing implementation of the East African Press Councils’ 2024-2027 strategic plan. Discussions also cover media regulation, technological change, content production and opportunities for cross-border collaboration, with support from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Kenya.
David Omwoyo, the network’s chair and chief executive of the Media Council of Kenya, called for gaps in the plan to be identified and concrete measures defined to strengthen media institutions. Paulo Ekochu, chair of the Media Council of Uganda, advocated partnerships to improve professional standards and journalists’ working conditions.
Representatives of the countries highlighted differences in their regulatory frameworks, media ownership structures, technological capacity and economic conditions. The growth of digital platforms offers new opportunities for distribution, but also poses challenges for press freedom, regulation and media funding.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
