Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan will address Regional Editors on Media Freedom at the World Press Day in Arusha on May 3.
Every year, the World Press Freedom Day is observed around the world. The theme for this year’s conference is “Journalism Under Digital Siege.”
The focus of the conference in Arusha will be on regional media freedoms, journalist safety issues, and the advancement of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) as part of an African media evolution.
The importance of media viability in digital times as a path to resilience, as well as the consequences of privacy, online surveillance, and hacking on public trust in journalism, will be highlighted.
President Samia’s opening address, according to Deodatus Balile, chairman of Tanzania Editors Forum, one of the organisers, will serve as a springboard for candid discussions on journalism and freedom of expression for sustainable development, as well as digital advancement and related challenges to gender equality and women’s empowerment in public media and information delivery.
“We look forward to hearing from her on how she intends to deepen access to information and media freedoms in Tanzania and challenge other African countries to see media as an important part of growing our democracy,” Mr Balile said.
EAES Chairman Churchill Otieno, who is also the president of the Kenya Editors Guild, said the “symbolism with which this convention is being held should send a clear message that the media industry will not sit back as its gains are being eroded through and by digital platforms.”
“We will build solidarity, learn, advocate and advance for the space to be as free as it should to ensure we can continue to hold governments to account; [and] educate, inform and entertain the public,” Mr Otieno said.
The EAES is an umbrella body for editor organisations in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia.