> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://impact.gfmd.info/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://impact.gfmd.info/meetings/2026/gfmd-at-africa-editors-congress-23-24-february.md).
# GFMD at Africa Editors’ Congress (23–24 February)
On the opening day, **Zoe Titus** and **Catherine Gicheru** each moderated a panel discussion, while **Fiona Nzingo** presented key findings from GFMD’s latest report, [***Mapping of Media Assistance and Journalism Support Programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa***](https://gfmd.info/h-content/uploads/2026/02/Mapping-of-media-assistance-and-journalism-support-programmes-in-Sub-Saharan-Africa.pdf?x32453\&x32453), and led an interactive workshop on rethinking the funding mix for resilient media in Africa.
#### **Building trust in the media**
The panel “[*Building trust in the media: information integrity and media regulation*](https://whova.com/embedded/session/iUORuIZyKKzknVqA0OdKUH2X9cvP71Am6yLL7366rSE%3D/5116961/?widget=primary)” on February 23, moderated by Zoe Titus, explored how to build trust in the media through information integrity and media regulation. Titus was joined by **Dr Phathiswa Magopeni** (Press Council of South Africa), **Dr Taryn De Vega** (Rhodes University’s School of Journalism and Media Studies), and **John Okande** (UNESCO).
The discussion examined how African media systems are responding to declining public trust, coordinated disinformation, and the growing influence of digital platforms. Speakers agreed that trust is closely tied to accountability, effective self-regulation, and information integrity in an era shaped by big tech.
* **Accountability and Self-regulation:** Dr Magopeni highlighted how trust is often affected by overlooked practices, such as the right to reply, and advocated using Press Codes as active training tools — not just in newsrooms, but in journalism schools. The panel strongly favoured voluntary, media-led self-regulation over statutory regulation, with Dr De Vega pointing to the [Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ)](https://vmcz.co.zw/) as a working example.
> *“We have to have editors and journalists agreeing to the system, participating in drawing up codes of conduct and then voluntarily being willing to agree to the sanctions of those particular councils. If it feels like it’s external, the media has probably not really participated in that process. We want media participation and public participation, because, again, the public is not just about “are we serving the public interest?” but “are the public actively engaged?” noted Dr Taryn De Vega.*
* **Digital platforms and information integrity:** John Okande emphasised that information integrity is now a multi-dimensional issue spanning human rights, democracy, and safety. He warned against reactive, restrictive lawmaking and called for sustained, forward-looking policy approaches that address jurisdictional gaps between platforms and existing legal frameworks. The panel concluded with a call for editors and media owners to engage more actively in policy spaces and take responsibility for ethical standards.
#### **AI adoption and editorial independence**
Catherine Gicheru moderated a [discussion on AI and editorial independence](https://whova.com/embedded/session/iUORuIZyKKzknVqA0OdKUH2X9cvP71Am6yLL7366rSE%3D/5153372/?widget=primary) with **Daniel Kalinaki** (Uganda Editors Guild, National Media Group (Uganda) and **Christine Mungai** (The Continent). Speakers broadly welcomed AI for workflow support: monitoring social media, analysing speeches, translation, archiving, and quality control — while firmly agreeing that AI must not replace editorial judgment, reporting, or verification.
* **Where AI adds value:** Mungai highlighted how tools like Google’s NotebookLM can improve archive searchability and identify coverage gaps, and noted AI’s usefulness in drafting donor proposals. Kalinaki encouraged organisations to think beyond the newsroom and adopt AI at an enterprise level — for example, analysing legacy audiences to support digital transition.
* **Risks and red lines:** Speakers raised concerns about over-reliance on AI, including reporters outsourcing core journalistic tasks. Clear boundaries were set: AI should not generate story ideas, replace editorial judgment, fabricate quotes, or simulate reporting.
> *“If we give up our news gathering, our writing, our editing, our content production, then we lose our premium in a world where the majority of data out there is actually AI-generated”, emphasised Christine Mungai.*
---
# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.
## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:
```
GET https://impact.gfmd.info/meetings/2026/gfmd-at-africa-editors-congress-23-24-february.md?ask=
```
The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.