Editors representing national and regional editors’ organisations across the continent have adopted a forward-leaning reform agenda at the Bi-annual General Meeting of the The African Editors Forum (TAEF), held at the close of the Africa Editors Congress in Nairobi.

The meeting resolved that TAEF will transition toward structured, policy-driven interventions aimed at securing the future of independent journalism across Africa.

Strategic priorities

Members are committed to a set of key reforms designed to strengthen the media ecosystem on the continent. These include:

• Advocating reforms in Africa’s media policy and legal landscape to promote sustainable, independent journalism.
• Engaging technology platforms, governments, competition authorities and other information ecosystem stakeholders to secure the future of journalism and guarantee universal access to news in the public interest.
• Strengthening protections and reinforcing the duty of care for journalists operating in increasingly hostile digital and political environments.
• Defining clear instruments and minimum standards for affiliation to consolidate a strong and accountable continental network of editors’ organisations.
• Developing a structured fundraising strategy to ensure TAEF’s institutional sustainability.
• Expanding the Executive Committee to include regional chairs and presidents to enhance representation and coordination across Africa.

Executive Council elections

The General Meeting also conducted elections for the TAEF Executive Council for a two-year term.

• Churchill Otieno (Kenya) – Re-elected President
• Emmanuel K. Dogbevi (Ghana) – Re-elected Vice President
• Sibusiso Ngalwa (South Africa) – Elected Secretary General (previously Treasurer)
• Jeannie Pao Olesitse (Botswana) – Elected Treasurer

Commenting after the elections, President Churchill Otieno said: “Africa’s editors are entering a new phase of continental coordination. Our focus is clear: fair value for journalism, credible policy engagement and institutional strength. We are determined to ensure that journalism is treated not as disposable content, but as a democratic infrastructure essential to Africa’s development.”

About TAEF

The African Editors Forum is a continental network of editors, senior newsroom leaders and media executives committed to strengthening independent journalism and advancing media freedom across Africa.

TAEF promotes ethical standards, defends press freedom, deepens professional solidarity and supports editorial innovation in response to the continent’s evolving political, economic and technological landscape.

Through platforms such as the Africa Editors Congress and partnerships with regional and global institutions, the Forum provides a space for dialogue on journalism’s role in democracy and development, and on strengthening African agency in emerging domains.

The organisation also champions fair compensation for journalism as a public good, newsroom resilience in the digital age and collaborative responses to threats facing journalists and media organisations — positioning itself as a collective continental voice for editors committed to independence, public interest and lasting excellence.