The fourth edition of the Africa Media Festival (AMF 2026) concluded in Nairobi today with African media leaders issuing a strong, unified call for greater transparency, accountability, and ownership in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI).
The festival took place at a critical juncture of generational transformation across the continent’s media and political landscapes. Much younger, digitally native audiences are not only consuming news in new ways but are also actively shaping political engagement, civic discourse, and media power structures.
Collaboration and ownership as core imperatives
Collaboration emerged as a central theme. African journalists and creators were urged to move beyond simply producing content and instead take control of platforms, intellectual property, and distribution channels.
Discussions focused on the multiple converging pressures now redefining journalism: shrinking newsroom revenues, regulatory constraints, the growing dominance of digital platforms, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), and the influence of a new generation of content creators reshaping public discourse.
In his keynote address, Ugandan journalist and Baraza Media Lab board chair Daniel Kalinaki stated:
“With AI increasingly shaping the nature of how we consume information, we are seeing the emergence of fast-growing digital outlets that we perceive to be local but which in reality are foreign-owned and AI-driven, thus blurring lines between authentic journalism and externally influenced narratives.”
Kalinaki raised urgent concerns about bias, credibility, and the integrity of news ecosystems. He highlighted the increasing risks posed by AI-generated summaries, automated content, and opaque algorithms that are rapidly redefining how information is produced, distributed, and consumed.
Political shifts and the erosion of accountability
The festival also spotlighted a growing trend of political leaders choosing direct engagement through digital platforms and highly curated audiences. This development has raised serious concerns about declining accountability and the manipulation of public discourse in critical socio-political and economic conversations.
Participants acknowledged that traditional media models are experiencing significant decline or forced transformation, with power steadily shifting toward independent creators, smaller agile platforms, and decentralised media networks.
Reflecting on the path forward, Martie Mtange, curator of the Africa Media Festival, said:
“What lies ahead is not simply the decline of legacy institutions, but the emergence of a more decentralised, creator-driven and technologically mediated ecosystem. One that will require new models of ownership, stronger collaboration and a renewed commitment to transparency.”
The Africa Media Awards (AMA)
Despite the structural challenges facing the industry, AMF 2026 closed on a celebratory note with the Africa Media Awards (AMA), which recognised outstanding journalists, creators, and innovators redefining storytelling across the continent.
A highlight was the introduction of the ‘Creator for Good Award,’ marking a deliberate shift toward honouring impact-driven digital storytelling and civic engagement.
The inaugural award went to Kenyan content creator Mike Muchiri, now known as Ziya.
Ziya is the founder of Civic Rights Africa, a youth advocacy and policy education platform dedicated to awakening the civil rights movement among young people across the continent.
In his acceptance speech, Ziya said:
“I am deeply honoured to be the recipient of the inaugural ‘Creator for Good’ Award. Baraza Media Lab has greatly supported creators like myself who are in the civic space, who are using their platform for good. This award is therefore not just for me, it is shared with every single creator who chooses to not be silent in the face of extreme corruption, blatant disregard of our constitution, as well as for human dignity and for human life.”
According to Baraza Media Lab, Ziya’s evolution from a comedic digital entertainer to a purpose-driven creator reflects broader shifts in Africa’s media ecosystem, where influence is increasingly tied to authenticity, identity, and civic impact.
Other winners included Robert Amalemba (Kenya), Umar Farouk (Nigeria), and Tracy Bonareri (Kenya), who took first place, first runner-up, and second runner-up respectively in the Human Rights Journalism Award category.
Professor Kwame Karikari, who earlier received The Africa Editors Forum Lifetime Service to Journalism Award at the Africa Editor’s Congress, was also acknowledged for his tireless advocacy for press freedom across the continent.
