On 26 – 27th August, journalism educators from more than 10 African countries convene at the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications in Nairobi as part of the African Journalism Educators Network, to discuss the state of journalism today. Vice President of AJEN and Dean of the Graduate School, Professor Nancy Booker, welcomes the participating journalism educators to the conference together with Professor Franz Krüger, Dr. Margaret Hughes and Hendrik Sittig.
The conference explores the critical role of journalism education in addressing the intertwined crises of media and planet. It is now more than ever imperative to equip future journalists with the skills and knowledge to navigate these complex times. This conference provides a platform for educators, practitioners and students to discuss and develop strategies for fostering resilient, ethical, and impactful journalism.
Read Professor Nancy Booker’s article in The Nation discussing the same here.
Investing in the future of African journalism
Fojo has funded 13 journalism educators from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Somalia to participate in AJEN’s regional initiative, thus supporting journalism education initiatives and promoting media freedom and democracy.
Key conference sessions
The conference features a variety of sessions, including:
- Sustainable journalism in practice: Exploring innovative approaches to sustainable journalism and its role in promoting social and environmental justice.
- Reporting and teaching climate change: Discussing strategies for effectively reporting and teaching about climate change, including practical approaches and guest lectures.
- AI tools for journalism education and practice: Exploring the potential of AI tools to enhance journalism education and practice, while also addressing ethical considerations.
Fojo’s contributions
Fojo’s partners, Professor Margaret Juuko (University of Rwanda) and Manedante Mulugeta (Bahir Dar University/Ethiopia Journalism Education Network), participated in the panel on Reporting and Teaching Climate Change. They emphasised the importance of prioritising climate change reporting in journalism education and providing lectures on the topic using practical approaches and guest lectures from experts.
About AJEN
The African Journalism Education Network (AJEN) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting excellence in journalism education across Africa. Established in 2019 and formally constituted in 2023, AJEN brings together journalism educators, practitioners, and researchers from universities, NGOs, media outlets, and other organizations.
