The Democratic Republic of the Congo recently hosted a two-day international forum on media innovation and governance in Africa, organized by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung foundation. The event, which took place on October 12-13, 2026, in Kinshasa, brought together several actors from the African media sector to discuss challenges and future prospects for the press on the continent. The forum's theme, "Developing Connectivity and Innovation in Media Governance," underscored the need for African media to adapt to new technologies and strengthen their governance.
Timon Roujean, Resident Representative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung foundation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, addressed the opening ceremony, emphasizing the importance of innovation in the African media sector. He urged media actors to adopt new information and communication technologies to build viable economic models and ensure transparent governance within media organs. Roujean stressed that innovation is not a luxury but a condition for survival, requiring media outlets to rethink their management methods, strengthen their technological infrastructure, and create a resilient and competitive African media ecosystem.
The forum featured several thematic discussions led by experts from various African countries. These topics included press freedom and journalist safety, economic viability and media independence, disinformation and information integrity, artificial intelligence and the future of journalism, inter-African collaboration and media networks, and digital platforms and information sovereignty. The discussions aimed to address the complex challenges facing the African media sector and explore opportunities for growth and development.
Valdez Onanina, Editor-in-Chief of the French-speaking bureau of Africa Check, spoke on the issue of disinformation and information integrity. He highlighted the responsibility of media outlets in combating the spread of false information and advocated for the adoption and effective implementation of an access to information law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Onanina also called on journalists to respect the fundamental principles of their profession, emphasizing the need to verify information before publication.
Onanina further emphasized that the fight against disinformation requires a collective effort from media outlets, platforms, and citizens. He stressed the importance of promoting local languages through digital platforms, mobilizing fact-checkers, civil society, and citizens, particularly through education and awareness-raising initiatives. By working together, stakeholders can mitigate the spread of false information and promote a culture of fact-based reporting.
The forum provided a platform for media actors to engage with experts and share experiences on innovative approaches to media governance and information integrity. Participants discussed the need for African media outlets to adapt to the rapidly changing media landscape, leveraging new technologies to enhance their operations and improve the quality of their content. The event also highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among media stakeholders across the continent.
The international forum on media innovation and governance in Africa concluded with a renewed commitment from participants to prioritize innovation, transparency, and accountability in the media sector. By embracing new technologies and strengthening their governance structures, African media outlets can promote a culture of fact-based reporting, enhance their economic viability, and contribute to the development of a resilient and competitive African media ecosystem.
Key points
- The forum emphasized the need for African media to adopt new information and communication technologies to build viable economic models and ensure transparent governance.
- The event highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among media stakeholders across the continent.
- Participants stressed the need for media outlets to prioritize innovation, transparency, and accountability in their operations.
