First MTN Pan African Media Innovation Programme cohort inducted, with speakers framing six-week online course as turning point for African journalism.
Speaking at the virtual induction, Emmanuel K Dogbevi, Vice-President of The African Editors Forum (TAEF), told the Fellows that their selection places them at a crucial moment in African journalism.
“How this moment is impacted with your active participation could determine the next chapter of journalism in Africa,” he said.
Dogbevi acknowledged the pressures facing the profession worldwide.
“The shrinking of democratic systems, the rise in attacks on press freedom, and the revolution in technology, all conspire against journalism in many ways than could be imagined, but they also present opportunities – opportunities that journalists who are aware and conscious of their responsibilities can take advantage of and turn positive.”
He urged the participants to fully commit to the programme. “Make it look like your life depends on it.
Ask questions. Curiosity isn’t a weakness; journalism is anchored on it.
This programme is meant to make you better. Make it matter,” he said.
Dogbevi also stressed collaboration, telling the Fellows: “No one succeeds alone here, and no one is expected to. Lean on your colleagues.
Offer help when you can give it, and ask for it when you need it. We’re genuinely glad you’re here.
The work ahead matters, its arduous, but must be done. Africa needs us.
Africa needs impactful journalism now more than ever— you have the chance to learn to do it more effectively. Hold yourselves accountable to the facts, and as you do, serve the people, and uphold the standards.”
Professor Chad Harris, Vice Dean for Teaching and Learning at the University of Johannesburg, which hosts the programme in collaboration with TAEF and with funding from MTN Group, recounted the early planning stages.
He said his advice to departments proposing a short learning programme (SLP) is to “go and do your homework” – ensuring feasibility, expertise, market demand, and industry support.
He noted that the feedback from the department indicated all those conditions were met, and based on the evidence of the induction, “they were right all along.”
A former journalist himself, Prof Harris spoke about the disruption technology has brought to media and other industries.
He said the consensus view is that lifelong learning is a key protection against such disruption, moving away from a “set and forget” approach to accreditation toward short learning programmes and micro credentials.
Dominic Kumalo, Chief of Staff to the Chairman of MTN Group, welcomed Fellows from ten countries: South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, Eswatini, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, South Sudan, Zambia, and Benin.
He explained that the media innovation programme was first conceptualised in 2022 by MTN Nigeria, which saw the need to capacitate media professionals in an evolving digital landscape.
Three years later, MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita decided to scale the successful initiative across all markets, leading to the Pan African programme in partnership with the University of Johannesburg and TAEF.
The curriculum covers digital transformation, technological advancements, media sustainability, audience engagement and monetisation, media entrepreneurship, digital media ethics and law, and Pan-African storytelling.
The University of Johannesburg says the programme aims to equip Fellows with future-oriented knowledge and practical skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, helping them drive innovation, adapt to digital disruption, and foster sustainable media enterprises.
Source: Ghana Business News