There is need for a review of the journalism teaching curricula to ensure it focuses on equipping students with the skills to produce high-quality, ethical, and sustainable content. This emerged during the 2024 African Journalism Education Network (AJEN) where delegates are exploring innovative approaches to teaching journalism across African institutions of higher learning.
The conference has brought together leading academics, journalists, and policymakers from around the globe to discuss the pivotal role of journalism education in addressing the complex challenges facing media and society in Sub-Saharan Africa. The conference is focusing on several key areas: sustainable journalism education, gender reporting, climate change education, and the future of media in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Speaking at the opening ceremony was the AJEN Vice President and Aga Khan University, Dean of GSMC, Prof Nancy Booker stressed on the need to ensure future generations inherit a safe and sustainable environment. “The future of journalism is more alive than ever, especially now against the backdrop of global crises that demand the attention of media stakeholders. As the Aga Khan University, we are preparing our students with the necessary skills and competence for this new order,” she said.
Federal Republic of Germany Ambassador to Kenya, Sebastian Growth commended such platforms that are addressing threats facing journalism. “Journalism, globally, is facing threats such as technological revolution, shrinking spaces, economic viability and the developments in the domestic political fields all which are exerting pressure on the profession. It is therefore necessary for collaborations to face these challenges,” he said.
The conference also highlighted the importance of a balanced approach to gender reporting and the need for journalism to adapt to emerging issues.
As Pam Sittoni from the Thomson Foundation Board said: “We need to mainstream gender reporting advocating for a balance.”
Professor Sisanda Nkoala from the University of Western Cape echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of reinventing journalism to speak to trends and emerging issues.
University of Nairobi, Centre for Advances Studies in Environmental Law, Prof. Nicholas Oguge, underscored the crucial role of journalism in raising awareness and understanding of climate-related issues. He emphasized on the importance of integrating climate change education into journalism curricula and exploring strategies for journalists to navigate the challenges posed by the climate crisis.
Among the key discussions centers on the role of journalism in promoting sustainable development. Participants are exploring how journalism can contribute to raising awareness of environmental issues, advocating for sustainable practices, and holding governments and corporations accountable for their actions.
The African Journalism Education Network conference is providing a valuable platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders in the field of journalism education. The event underscores the critical role of journalism in addressing the complex challenges facing Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the areas of climate change, gender reporting, and sustainable development.
As the conference continues, participants are expressing their commitment to working together to strengthen journalism education in the region and to ensure that journalism continues to play a vital role in promoting democracy, justice, and sustainable development.