By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, Sept. 16, GNA – Ghana will host a high-level Steering Committee meeting of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) from September 17 to 18 to deliberate on media freedom and journalists’ welfare.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), which is hosting the meeting in Accra, said the gathering would address critical challenges confronting journalism and journalists across the continent.
A release issued to the Ghana News Agency and signed by the GJA President, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, said the meeting would be held at the Fiesta Royal Hotel, with support from KGL Group.
It would bring together leaders of journalists’ associations and media organisations from across Africa to discuss press freedom, journalists’ safety and welfare, professional development, media sustainability, freedom of expression, ethical journalism and emerging trends shaping the media landscape.
The GJA said the meeting was being held at a time when journalists in many African countries continued to face attacks, threats, restrictions on media freedom and economic pressures, alongside the growing effects of digital misinformation and rapid technological change.
The Steering Committee is expected to review those developments and strengthen continental strategies to safeguard journalists’ rights, safety and welfare, while promoting solidarity among media practitioners.
A key item on the agenda is the selection of a host country for the sixth FAJ Congress, with Ghana among the countries that have submitted bids to host the event.
The opening session is expected to attract government officials, diplomatic representatives, former national executives of the GJA, media executives, editors, journalists and other stakeholders in the media industry.
The FAJ is the continental body representing journalists’ unions and associations affiliated with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
Established in 2007 and formally launched at its first working congress in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2008, the FAJ seeks to provide a unified voice for African journalists and advance press freedom, freedom of expression and improved working conditions across the continent.
Since its establishment, the organisation has advocated journalists’ rights at regional and international levels and supported efforts to enhance media freedom, professional standards and the safety of journalists in Africa.
The FAJ operates under a constitution adopted by its congress and is led by an elected Steering Committee.
The GJA said Ghana’s hosting of the meeting reflected the country’s contribution to press freedom, democratic governance and professional journalism in Africa.
The gathering would provide a platform for dialogue, advocacy and collective action towards building a safer, stronger and more sustainable media environment on the continent.
The release said Mr Omar Faruk Osman, President of the FAJ, was already in Accra engaging key stakeholders ahead of the meeting.
The GJA expressed appreciation to KGL Group for supporting the organisation of the event.
GNA
Photos attached
Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage