African Media Challenged to Tell Africa’s Story Differently in AI Era.
By Staff Reporter
African journalists and communication professionals have been urged to embrace new technology while ensuring that truth, accountability and humanity remain at the centre of the media industry. The call was made by ANC First Deputy Secretary-General and former Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane when she addressed the African Media & Communication Forum at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg on 29 August.
The forum was held under the theme, “Navigating the New Media World: Turning Change into Opportunity,” bringing together media practitioners and communication professionals to reflect on the rapidly changing media landscape. Mokonyane said the rise of artificial intelligence, digital platforms and the explosion of online information had fundamentally changed the way people communicate, consume news and engage with institutions.
She warned that while technology had opened new opportunities, it had also created serious challenges, including misinformation, disinformation and declining public trust. “We are living through a moment of profound disruption,” Mokonyane said, adding that the media needed to adapt without losing sight of its responsibility to society. She reminded journalists that behind every news story is a person, family and community that can be affected by what is published. “Behind every story is a human being. Behind that person is a family and a community,” she said, urging media professionals to consider the consequences of their reporting, particularly in an environment where information can spread within seconds.
Mokonyane also stressed that media freedom must go hand in hand with responsibility and accountability. She said independent and ethical journalism remained essential to democracy, particularly at a time when misinformation and deliberately manufactured narratives can easily spread across social media platforms. The former minister also challenged African media to take greater responsibility for telling a more complete story about the continent.
She said Africa should not ignore its challenges, but its story should also reflect its resilience, progress, innovation and potential. “We need another side of the African story, one that speaks about our resilience, our progress and our possibilities,” she said. At the same time, Mokonyane cautioned that telling a positive African story should never mean protecting political leaders from scrutiny. She said journalists must continue to expose wrongdoing, question those in power and demand accountability.
She also highlighted the role of communication in strengthening social cohesion, particularly around sensitive issues such as migration. She warned against simplistic narratives that could deepen divisions between communities. Mokonyane said digital technology should be viewed not only as a challenge but also as an opportunity for Africans to participate more actively in public life.
She pointed to the growing ability of people in townships, rural communities and other previously marginalised areas to use digital platforms to raise concerns, highlight service-delivery problems and engage directly with institutions. She called for increased investment in African content, community media, digital literacy and the development of young people and women across the media and communications sector.
Speaking during Women’s Month, Mokonyane said meaningful transformation must go beyond simply putting women in front of the camera or giving them visibility. “We cannot only insist on inclusivity. We must insist on ownership, participation and involvement in the final production of the story,” she said. She called for stronger mentorship and institutional support to increase women’s participation in leadership, ownership and decision-making within the industry.
Mokonyane described the African Media & Communication Forum as an important platform for professionals to discuss the future of the industry and called for continued engagement on artificial intelligence, media sustainability, ethics, misinformation, ownership and the future of community media. She encouraged African media professionals to approach the changing media environment with courage and use technology as a tool to strengthen communication, participation and development across the continent.
