{"id":26824,"date":"2025-10-02T13:14:30","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T10:14:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barazalab.com\/?p=26824"},"modified":"2025-10-02T13:14:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T10:14:30","slug":"africa-media-festival-2026-resilient-storytelling-reimagining-media-freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tuwele.com\/baraza_update\/africa-media-festival-2026-resilient-storytelling-reimagining-media-freedom\/","title":{"rendered":"Africa Media Festival 2026 | Resilient Storytelling: Reimagining Media Freedom."},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re reading this, perhaps you should be slightly concerned that the rapture happened and well, like me, you’re still here. Though to be honest, I wasn\u2019t too keen on the rapture happening during salary week. Priorities, right? It’s been an interesting week for sure, and in case you have no idea what I’m referring to, a South African pastor said that he had a vision where God rescues Christians from the world on 23rd and 24th September. In a podcast with the Cent Twinz, Pastor Mhlakela shared that “God’s judgment will leave the world unrecognizable.” But while we can laugh about prophets and predictions, the world around us has been anything but lighthearted. In the media space, the past year has reminded us just how fragile (and yet how powerful) storytelling really is.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve seen journalists in Egypt disappear without trace. In Kenya, Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki was shot while covering protests, and videographers have had their gear confiscated for allegedly publishing false information and cyber harassment. Colleagues in Tanzania, Uganda, and Sudan have faced abductions, displacements, and worse. Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, the list goes on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond Africa, the threats echo just as loudly: from journalists such as Anas Al-Sharif losing their lives during Israeli attacks on Gaza, to Al Jazeera being banned outright from reporting within Israel\u2019s borders, to Rappler in the Philippines facing endless shutdown orders. Even the U.S., supposedly a bastion of free press, has seen the whole Jimmy Kimmel Live! late-night show suspension debacle, as other cases against journalists pile up.<\/span><\/p>\n

But censorship and suppression aren\u2019t only physical anymore. They\u2019re digital. They\u2019re written into the fine print. Companies like Spotify, LinkedIn, Adobe, and CapCut (yes, the apps we use every day) have quietly updated their terms to license or train AI on creator content, often without explicit consent. When I asked colleagues from RNW Media in the Netherlands about this, they noted that the EU\u2019s legal protections make it difficult for these changes to impact them fundamentally. Then it hit me: what about us in Africa? How do we protect our voices, not only from bullets or bans, but from invisible clauses hidden in Terms & Conditions? How do we build resilience against political crackdowns, economic exploitation, and algorithmic gatekeeping?<\/span><\/p>\n

These are not just survival questions; they are creative ones. They challenge us to reimagine media freedom beyond old definitions. To imagine what solidarity looks like in the digital age. To design our own safeguards, policies, and pathways forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is exactly why <\/span>Africa Media Festival 2026<\/b> will gather under the theme:<\/span>
\n<\/span> \u201cResilient Storytelling: Reimagining Media Freedom.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not a call to despair. It\u2019s an invitation. An invitation to dream up futures where we are not silenced, but amplified. Where our stories are not extracted, but respected. Where freedom is not something we beg for, but something we build together. Feel free to email me any cool things or cool people you\u2019ve seen working on any cool things that we can showcase during AMF related to this theme and we\u2019ll work to feature them during the festival. Also, feel free to email me to say hi or let me know what you\u2019d like to see coming from Baraza or even just the newsletter, or if you\u2019d like to be featured in the<\/span> Member Spotlight <\/span><\/i>section. Maybe the pastor was right in one sense: the world is becoming unrecognizable. However, we have the chance to shape what it becomes, one resilient story at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Early bird registration for Africa Media Festival 2026 kicks off this week, and the call for pitches will open next month.<\/em><\/p>\n

Talk Soon,<\/span>
\n<\/span>Martie Mtange<\/span>
\n<\/span>Curator | Baraza Media Lab\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n


\n<\/b>Member Spotlight: Carrying Voices Through Poetry<\/b><\/h2>\n

This week, we caught up with one of our community\u2019s brightest poetic voices, Merian Abonyo Omondi, otherwise known as <\/span>Partaker<\/span><\/i>, fresh off a big win at the East Africa Poetic Hour Battle 2025. Here\u2019s what she had to say about their journey, her debut show, and the future of creativity in Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What\u2019s a piece of work, idea or achievement you\u2019d like to talk about?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Winning the East Africa Poetic Hour Battle 2025 has been one of the highlights of my creative journey. The fact that people turned up in numbers to keep the crown at home (in Kisumu) and in Kenya, makes it even more special.<\/span><\/p>\n

But for me, it wasn\u2019t just about standing on stage and delivering poetry. It was about carrying the voices, struggles, and dreams of my community. Sharing the stage with other poets from across East Africa opened my eyes to the sheer weight of our stories. We were united by a burning desire for change.<\/span><\/p>\n

It matters because it proves that art is more than performance. It\u2019s a mirror. Sanaa ni kioo cha jamii. And I hope it reminds the creative community that our stories deserve to be heard on every stage, big or small.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are you creatively curious or excited about right now?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Right now, I\u2019m stepping into new territory with my first-ever debut show, To the Partakers of My Communion, happening October 3rd at Baraza Media Lab in Kisumu courtesy of East Africa Poetic Hour Battle.<\/span><\/p>\n

The curiosity lies in seeing how my words, unfiltered, will land with the audience. I\u2019m excited about transforming poetry from something on paper into a shared experience that people can feel, reflect on, and carry with them. It\u2019s a huge milestone, and I\u2019m eager to learn from the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

What worries you about the current creative landscape?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

What worries me is how easily creativity can be silenced or overlooked. Sometimes it\u2019s lack of platforms, sometimes it\u2019s financial struggles, sometimes outright censorship. Too many powerful voices get lost because they don\u2019t have access to the right spaces or resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

My fear is that young, brilliant creatives will give up on their craft simply because the environment isn\u2019t nurturing enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

Congratulations on winning the East Africa Poetic Hour Battle! Why does this matter to you, and why is this platform important?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Thank you! For me, winning isn\u2019t just about the title. It\u2019s a validation of years of struggle, growth, and persistence. It\u2019s proof that the late nights writing, the moments of doubt, and the courage to keep speaking truth through art were worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n

This platform matters because it unites creatives across East Africa. It gives us a space to share art without borders. It creates community, visibility, and inspiration, a reminder that we\u2019re part of something bigger than ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

With so many artists being restricted \u2014 from abductions to algorithms \u2014 what does creative freedom look like to you?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

True creative freedom would mean being able to speak our truths without fear of persecution in any form, whether through manipulation, suppression, or censorship.<\/span><\/p>\n

It would look like art not being boxed in by algorithms. It would mean safety, platforms, and the freedom to question power, tell untold stories, and push culture forward without having to compromise authenticity.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the most underutilized resource or opportunity in the African creative landscape?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Our local stories and indigenous knowledge systems. Africa is overflowing with wisdom, culture, and history, yet so much of it is still untapped.<\/span><\/p>\n

If we embrace and document our languages, traditions, fashion, and oral histories \u2014 and merge them with modern platforms \u2014 we can create something powerful and uniquely ours. Not only can it inspire the world, it can empower African youth with pride in their identity and creativity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Partner Pulse:\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"\"This week in our partner pulse, we spoke with Khalil A. Cassimally, a media consultant based in Mauritius who has been helping newsrooms, across Africa and beyond, rethink what it really means to \u201cserve audiences.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s an innovation, piece of work or idea you\u2019d like to talk about?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been working with newsrooms to (re)connect with the people they claim to serve. Everyone says \u201cwe\u2019re here for our audiences,\u201d but when you look closer, the clarity around who those audiences are, and why they come to journalism in the first place, is often fuzzy.<\/span><\/p>\n

My work is about fixing that gap. Using a structured framework, I bring teams together to align on their purpose, identify the audience needs they\u2019re best placed to meet, and then shape their journalism around those needs. It\u2019s about creating real value for people, which is also the only true foundation for sustainability.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s a compelling recent project in African media innovation that\u2019s caught your eye?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

AmaBhungane in South Africa really stands out. They\u2019re known for world-class investigative reporting, but they\u2019re also experimenting with new ways to reach audiences and exploring AI to make accountability journalism more engaging and accessible.<\/span><\/p>\n

What I admire is how mission-driven they remain, while still being realistic about sustainability and relationships with audiences. That balance is exactly the kind of innovation African media needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you share one practical tip African media organisations can try right now?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Yes: ask your audience what\u2019s useful to them. Then share those insights with your team.<\/span><\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t need to be complicated; even a two-question survey at the end of a newsletter (\u201cWhat\u2019s valuable?\u201d and \u201cWhat\u2019s missing?\u201d) can spark important change. When journalists hear directly from audiences, the mindset starts to shift from producing for editors or peers to producing for people.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the most underutilised resource in African media today?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Young people. Africa has the world\u2019s youngest population, yet most newsrooms barely involve them in shaping content or strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n

If we invited youth as co-creators through participatory journalism, advisory committees, or collaborative projects, it could unlock both loyalty and fresh innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

African media doesn\u2019t need to copy-paste models from elsewhere. Our challenges are unique, but so are our opportunities. By staying audience-informed and context-specific, we can build journalism that not only strengthens our own societies but also inspires the rest of the world.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

To design our own safeguards, policies, and pathways forward. This is exactly why Africa Media Festival 2026 will gather under the theme: \u201cResilient Storytelling: Reimagining Media Freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26821,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[70,179],"tags":[162,163],"class_list":["post-26824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-barua-ya-baraza","category-martie-mtange","tag-africa-media-festival","tag-curators-desk"],"yoast_head":"\nBaraza Media Lab<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/tuwele.com\/baraza_update\/africa-media-festival-2026-resilient-storytelling-reimagining-media-freedom\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Africa Media Festival 2026 | Resilient Storytelling: Reimagining Media Freedom. - Baraza Media Lab\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"To design our own safeguards, policies, and pathways forward. 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