By Josiah Kariuki
Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to building a free, responsible and future-ready media ecosystem as it hosts the Pan-African Media Summit 2026.
The summit is bringing together media executives, policymakers, regulators, technology experts and development partners from across the continent to shape conversations on digital governance, information integrity and the future of journalism in Africa.
Opening the summit, Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Isaboke called for a bold rethinking of media regulation and governance frameworks, warning that rapid advances in digital technologies, artificial intelligence and platform economies are fundamentally reshaping how information is created, distributed and consumed across the globe.
“The media landscape is evolving rapidly, and regulation must evolve with it,” said PS Isaboke, noting that conventional policy frameworks are no longer sufficient to respond to increasingly decentralised and technology-driven communication ecosystems.
The Principal Secretary said Kenya remains firmly committed to strengthening a media environment that is free, responsible, innovative and adaptive to technological change, adding that the country’s approach is anchored in the Constitution and supported by progressive broadcasting regulations, cybersecurity frameworks and digital governance reforms aimed at safeguarding freedom of expression while promoting information integrity.
His address focused on the growing convergence between traditional broadcasting, digital media platforms, artificial intelligence and cross-platform communication systems, which continue to redefine global communication and public discourse.
PS Isaboke observed that Africa’s digital transformation presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, democratic participation and cultural influence, particularly through expanded access to information and the rise of African digital creators and innovators.
He noted that emerging technologies are opening new pathways for African voices to shape global conversations while also creating employment and enterprise opportunities for young people in the creative and digital sectors.
At the same time, he cautioned that the rapid expansion of digital platforms across Africa — driven by rising internet penetration and mobile-first content consumption — has also introduced serious challenges, including misinformation, disinformation, cyber-enabled propaganda, digital manipulation and exclusion.
He stressed the need for balanced and forward-looking regulatory approaches capable of protecting the public interest, strengthening information integrity and ensuring the ethical use of emerging technologies without undermining innovation or freedom of expression.
“Africa has an opportunity not merely to participate in the global digital transformation, but to shape it in ways that reflect our values, aspirations and democratic principles,” he said.
PS Isaboke further called for practical and measurable action from stakeholders attending the summit, including updated broadcasting codes, responsive licensing frameworks, enforceable platform obligations and harmonised regional approaches to artificial intelligence governance, child online protection and election-period safeguards.
He also underscored the importance of collaboration between governments, media institutions, technology companies and development partners in crafting inclusive and sustainable digital policies that reflect African realities and aspirations.
The discussions at the summit highlighted the increasingly central role of media within Africa’s development agenda as the continent navigates both the opportunities and complexities associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Kenya continues to position itself as a regional leader in ICT development and digital policy reform through sustained investment in digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems and the modernisation of communication frameworks.
