“Shaping a Future at Peace: Press Freedom, Journalism and the Pursuit of Human Rights in Africa”

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHAT: The African Union Media Fellowship (AUMF) 3.0 will host a Fireside Chat to commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2026, under the theme: “Shaping a Future at Peace: Press Freedom, Journalism and the Pursuit of Human Rights in Africa.”

WHEN: 4 May 2026

WHERE: Virtual (Microsoft Teams Meeting)

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/363736003859161?p=QW1vukEH44lFKzaV1D

TIME: 18:00 EAT

Why: The African Union Media Fellowship (AUMF), launched by the African Union Commission’s Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), is a flagship programme designed to strengthen African storytelling and equip journalists to report Africa’s stories from an African perspective. Since Cohort 1, the fellowship has brought together media professionals across the continent through mentorship, training, study tours, and engagement with AU institutions, focusing on Agenda 2063 priorities such as governance, peace and security, regional integration, and development. While previous cohorts focused mainly on learning exchanges and institutional engagements, AUMF 3.0 introduces the Fireside Chat Series as a structured public dialogue platform. In line with World Press Freedom Day 2026, commemorated under the UNESCO theme “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security,” AUMF 3.0 will host a Fireside Chat to discuss press freedom in Africa, the challenges journalists face, and the role of the media in advancing peace, human rights, and democratic governance.

Who: The session will be moderated by Cynthia Areh, Award-winning Broadcast Journalist      at Arise TV and AUMF 3.0 Fellow, and will feature:

• Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, International Press Centre (IPC)
• Jeanne Lagarde, Sub-Saharan Africa Advocacy Officer, Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Objectives: The Fireside Chat aims to provide a platform for open discussion on press freedom and the role of journalism in promoting peace, human rights, and democratic governance in Africa. The session will examine the challenges journalists face, including threats, censorship, surveillance, and shrinking civic space, while strengthening understanding of the importance of independent media in building peaceful and accountable societies.

For further information, please contact:

Faith Adhiambo AUMF Coordinator |Directorate of Information and Communication| African Union Commission |E-mail ochiengj@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Aziz Mshangama | African Union Commission | Email: mshangamaA@AfricanUnion.org

For media inquiries, please contact:

Godstime Gaius | Information Communication Directorate |African Union Commission | Email: GaiusG@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia