Churchill Otieno re-elected as president of African Editors’ Forum

Joshua Oigara, Chief Executive and Executive Director of Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited, with newly re-elected African Editors President Churchill Otieno./handout

Africa’s top editors have renewed Churchill Otieno’s mandate, re-electing him to lead the African Editors’ Forum for another two-year term as the continent pushes for stronger, more sustainable journalism.

Editors from across the continent, meeting at the bi-annual gathering of the African Editors’ Forum (TAEF), voted to retain Otieno as president.

The African Editors’ Forum is a continental network of editors working to uphold independent journalism and protect media freedom across Africa.

During the meeting, editors pledged to advocate for reforms in African media policy and legal frameworks to promote sustainable and independent journalism.

The forum also held executive council elections for a two-year term. Otieno, from Kenya, was re-elected president, while Emmanuel Dogbevi was also re-elected as vice president for a second term.

South Africa’s Sibusiso Ngalwa, who previously served as treasurer, was elected secretary-general, while Jeannie Pao Olesitse was elected treasurer.

Editors emphasized the need to engage technology platforms, governments, competition authorities, and other industry stakeholders on safeguarding the future of journalism and ensuring global access to news in the public interest.

Participants also committed to enhancing the safety and welfare of journalists working in increasingly hostile digital and political environments.

In discussions on building a strong, accountable continental network, the editors focused on defining clear frameworks and minimum standards for partnerships.

Members further prioritised developing a structured fundraising strategy to secure TAEF’s institutional sustainability.

To strengthen representation and coordination, the forum resolved to expand its executive committee to include regional chairs and presidents.

“Africa's editors are entering a new phase of continental coordination. Our focus is clear: fair value for journalism, credible policy engagement, and institutional strength,” Otieno said.

He reiterated the editors’ commitment to ensuring journalism is not treated as disposable content, but recognised as a democratic pillar essential to Africa’s development.

The call for sustainable journalism builds on discussions at the Africa Editors’ Congress on Monday, where Kenya Editors’ Guild CEO Linda Bach urged stakeholders to pursue dialogue and local, innovative solutions to media sustainability challenges.

“We are convening at a time when the media space is grappling with issues of trust, sustainability, and the growing influence of digital platforms. I am looking forward to candid conversations and some homegrown solutions,” she said.

Editors at the congress underscored the need for journalism to reclaim its value, rebuild trust, and redefine sustainability.