The Ghana Journalists Association successfully bid to host the 6th Continental Congress of the Federation of African Journalists. The decision was made at a two-day Steering Committee meeting held in Accra from September 17 to 18. The meeting was hosted by the Ghana Journalists Association with support from the KGL Group. Leaders of journalists' associations and media organisations from across Africa attended the gathering.
The Steering Committee meeting addressed critical challenges confronting journalism and journalists across the continent. FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman engaged with stakeholders ahead of the meeting. Ghana competed against other bidding countries for the right to host the Congress. The Congress is expected to bring together journalists' unions and associations from across Africa to discuss common challenges, elect leadership, and chart the Federation's future direction.
The Steering Committee reviewed FAJ's continental work, took organisational and financial decisions, and agreed on collective responses to challenges facing journalists across Africa. Members assessed attacks on media freedom, violations of journalists' labour rights, and growing economic pressures facing journalists and news organisations. They examined conditions in specific countries and regions.
The committee received reports on FAJ's activities, including its Pan-African Gender Council and its Working Group on Climate Change. They approved financial and independent audit reports and admitted new affiliated journalist organisations. At the opening session, Osman rejected censorship and greater state control of the media as solutions to misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and the misuse of artificial intelligence.
Osman emphasised the need for strong, independent, and professional journalism backed by effective media and information literacy. This approach aims to protect public trust and strengthen democratic societies. The Congress, expected next year, will provide a platform for journalists to discuss common challenges and chart the Federation's future direction.
The FAJ is the continental body representing journalists' unions and associations affiliated with the International Federation of Journalists. It was established in 2007. The Federation's work includes promoting and defending the rights of journalists, enhancing their professional standards, and advocating for a free and independent media environment.
The Ghana Journalists Association President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, had announced the meeting ahead of time. Key outcomes from the meeting will help ensure the Congress is democratic, inclusive, and representative. The Congress will build on the momentum from the Steering Committee meeting, fostering stronger collective action among African journalists.
Key points
- Ghana has been unanimously selected to host the 6th Continental Congress of the Federation of African Journalists.
- The Steering Committee meeting addressed critical challenges confronting journalism and journalists across the continent.
- The FAJ emphasised the need for strong, independent, and professional journalism backed by effective media and information literacy.
