By KPC Reporter in Arusha
David Omwoyo of the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has been catapulted into global and regional media leadership.
Omwoyo, who is serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at MCK was elected President of World Press Association of Press Councils at the Pan African Media Councils Summit in Arusha, Tanzania.
His elevation to the global stage followed his election as chair of the East African Press Councils, as we reported earlier.
During the Arusha conference, journalists were urged to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a collaborator, and not regard it as a competitor in the evolving media landscape.
Speaking at a high-level panel themed “Guardrails for the Digital Era: Ethics, Accountability and AI in Media,” UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, urged journalists to shift their mindset.
“We cannot compete against technology,” he said.
“But we can make the best use of it. Technology is a two-edged sword; it can help or harm.”
Dr. Jelassi emphasized AI’s potential in enhancing journalism through research, fact-finding, and content dissemination.
However, he warned of its risks, citing a troubling statistic: 62% of content creators do not fact-check before publishing, and falsehoods spread ten times faster than facts.
Echoing his sentiments, Phathiswa Magopeni, Executive Director of the Press Council of South Africa, called for robust capacity building.
“Journalists must be ready to learn and unlearn,” she said, “to remain relevant in an industry shaped by emerging technologies.”
Magopeni has been a vocal advocate for ethical AI use, stressing the importance of transparency, editorial oversight, and accountability in AI-assisted reporting.
The session was moderated by Victor Bwire, Director of Media Training and Development at MCK, who has been instrumental in developing AI guidelines for journalists across East Africa.
Bwire highlighted the need for clear protocols and ethical standards to ensure AI enhances rather than undermines journalistic integrity.
“Journalists and editors must adapt, collaborate, and uphold ethics to safeguard the future of credible information,” Bwire said.
Also on the panel was Asha Abinallah, Executive Director of Tech and Media Convergence (TMC) Tanzania.
Abinallah shared insights from a recent UNESCO-supported study on AI adoption in Tanzanian newsrooms, noting that while 73% of journalists recognize AI’s potential, many lack formal training.
“Innovation, technology, impact, and collaboration must guide our journey,” she said.
The summit, part of the broader initiative by the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA), brought together media professionals, regulators, and policymakers to explore how journalism can thrive amid digital disruption.
Discussions focused on misinformation, algorithmic bias, and the urgent need for inclusive, rights-based media policies.