African media leaders have called for greater transparency, accountability and ownership in the age of artificial intelligence as the fourth edition of the Africa Media Festival 2026 concluded in Nairobi.
The call comes amid what participants described as a generational shift reshaping both media and politics across the continent.
Younger, digitally native audiences are consuming news differently and increasingly influencing civic engagement, public discourse and media power structures.
Discussions were dominated by the pressures redefining journalism, including shrinking newsroom revenues, regulatory constraints and the growing influence of digital platforms, artificial intelligence and a new generation of content creators reshaping public debate.
In his keynote address, the Baraza Media Lab board chair Daniel Kalinaki warned that artificial intelligence is already altering how information is produced and consumed.
“With AI increasingly shaping how we access information, we are seeing the emergence of fast-growing digital outlets that appear local but are in fact foreign-owned and AI-driven. This blurs the line between authentic journalism and externally influenced narratives,” he said.
Kalinaki raised concerns about bias, credibility and the integrity of news ecosystems, warning of the risks posed by AI-generated summaries, automated content and opaque algorithms that increasingly determine what audiences see.
The festival also highlighted a growing trend of political leaders bypassing traditional media in favour of direct engagement through digital platforms and curated audiences.
Participants expressed concern that this shift may weaken accountability and enable the manipulation of public discourse on critical socio-political and economic issues.
Martie Mtange, curator of the Africa Media Festival, said the industry must prepare for structural change.
“What lies ahead is not simply the decline of legacy institutions, but the emergence of a more decentralised, creator-driven and technologically mediated ecosystem. It will require new models of ownership, stronger collaboration and a renewed commitment to transparency,” she said.
Despite the challenges, the festival closed on a celebratory note with the Africa Media Awards, which recognised journalists, creators and innovators redefining storytelling on the continent.
A highlight of the evening was the introduction of the Creator for Good Award, signalling a shift towards recognising impact-driven digital storytelling and civic engagement. The inaugural award went to Kenyan content creator Mike Muchiri, popularly known as Ziya.
Ziya is the founder of Civic Rights Africa, a youth advocacy and policy education platform aimed at promoting civic awareness and participation among young people across the continent.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the inaugural Creator for Good Award. Baraza Media Lab has supported creators working in the civic space and using their platforms responsibly. This award is shared with every creator who refuses to remain silent in the face of corruption, constitutional violations and disregard for human dignity and life,” he said.
According to Baraza Media Lab, Ziya’s transition from comedic digital entertainer to civic advocate reflects a broader shift in Africa’s media landscape, where influence is increasingly linked to authenticity, identity and social impact.
In the Human Rights Journalism Award category, Robert Amalemba of Kenya emerged the winner, while Umar Farouk of Nigeria and Tracy Bonareri of Kenya were named first and second runners-up respectively.
Professor Kwame Karikari, who earlier in the week received the Africa Editors Forum Lifetime Service to Journalism Award at the Africa Editors Congress, was also recognised for his longstanding advocacy for press freedom on the continent.
Held under the theme: “Resilient Storytelling: Reimagining Media Freedom,” the festival brought together more than 200 organisations from 31 countries.
