Accra, Nov. 3, GNA – Poor working conditions across the continent continue to undermine the quality and independence of journalism, the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) has observed.
The Federation has, therefore, called for improved labour rights and stronger protections for media workers.
It noted that low and delayed salaries, insecure employment, lack of contracts, and inadequate social protection expose journalists to vulnerabilities that compromise professional independence and public information quality.
The concern was raised during a two-day dialogue and capacity-building programme convened by the FAJ in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from October 24 to 25, 2026, under 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) to address working conditions, responsible artificial intelligence (AI), disinformation, and media freedom.
Participants expressed concern that AI adoption, automation, and organisational cost-cutting could further threaten newsroom staffing. They explored ways to harness AI for research, translation, and information verification while safeguarding against fabricated content and source impersonation.
Mr. Omar Faruk Osman, President of FAJ, emphasised that responsible AI adoption, decent working conditions, and media freedom are interconnected.
“AI should support journalists’ work and complement human judgement,” Mr. Osman said, stressing the need for fair conditions, editorial independence, and digital verification skills.
The deliberations were informed by an FAJ continental survey on working conditions, safety, and labour rights covering 1,586 journalists across 45 African countries—the first journalist-led survey of its kind on the continent.
The meeting culminated in the adoption of a continental advocacy action plan to promote decent work and responsible AI, to be pursued in partnership with the AU, UN agencies, and organised labour.
The event was funded by the ILO, the EU, and UNESCO through its Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP).
GNA
Editor: Beatrice Asamani Savage
Reporter: Eric Appah Marfo