Accra, Nov. 3, GNA – African journalists have called for stronger protection mechanisms and collective action to tackle increasing attacks, legal harassment and digital violence against media practitioners, particularly online abuse targeting female journalists.Â
They urged governments, media organisations and continental institutions to strengthen digital security measures and protect journalists from threats.
They also called for an end to impunity for crimes committed against media practitioners.
The concerns emerged during a two-day dialogue and capacity-building programme convened by the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from October 24 to 25, 2026.
Held on the theme: “Advancing Responsible Artificial Intelligence and Decent Work for Quality Journalism in Africa”, the programme brought together journalist leaders and representatives of the African Union Commission (AUC), UNESCO, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Union (EU).
Participants expressed concern about the growing incidence of physical attacks and legal harassment against journalists in the discharge of their professional duties.
They called for coordinated regional and continental responses to safeguard media practitioners and protect their ability to work freely.
Particular attention was given to digital security threats, including online harassment.
The participants emphasised equipping journalists with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves against such attacks.
They said these threats should not compromise journalists’ professional responsibilities or freedom of expression.
The discussions formed part of broader deliberations on the challenges confronting journalism in Africa.
These included disinformation, misinformation, artificial intelligence (AI), poor working conditions and threats to media freedom.
On AI, participants examined its potential to enhance journalistic practice through research, translation and information verification.
However, they cautioned against its misuse to generate fabricated content, impersonate credible sources and accelerate the spread of disinformation.
They also raised concerns about the implications of AI-driven automation and newsroom cost-cutting measures for employment.
These, they noted, could result in job losses and further deteriorate journalists’ working conditions.
Other labour-related concerns included low and delayed salaries, insecure employment, the absence of formal contracts and inadequate social protection for media practitioners.
Mr Omar Faruk Osman, President of FAJ, said the responsible adoption of AI, decent working conditions and media freedom were interdependent and fundamental to sustaining quality journalism across the continent.
“Artificial intelligence must not deepen the precarious conditions in which journalists across the continent continue to work,” he stated.
“When journalists lack decent working conditions, quality journalism is weakened and consequently, disinformation and misinformation gain ground.
“This is why we believe the responsible use of AI, decent work and media freedom are closely interconnected.”
He said journalists across Africa required fair and safe working conditions and editorial independence.
They also needed the necessary skills to verify information and use emerging technologies responsibly.
AI, he emphasised, should complement journalists’ work and human judgement rather than replace professional editorial responsibility.
The deliberations were also informed by a recent FAJ continental survey examining journalists’ working conditions, safety, labour rights and media freedom.
The Federation described the exercise as the first journalist-led continental survey of its kind in Africa.
It gathered responses from 1,586 journalists across 45 countries.
Participants explored how the findings could provide an evidence base for advocacy and engagement with media organisations, governments and other institutions.
The objective was to address challenges affecting journalists’ safety, welfare and professional independence.
At the end of the programme, journalist leaders adopted a continental advocacy action plan to advance responsible AI, decent work and quality journalism across Africa.
FAJ said it would pursue the implementation of the plan through its member organisations and networks.
It would also sustain engagement with the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), UN agencies, organised labour, human rights organisations and other partners.
The programme was funded by the ILO, the EU and UNESCO through its Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP).
GNA
Reporter: Eric Appah Marfo