Press freedom in Africa, 30 years after Windhoek (The Backstory S4E1)

Press freedom in Africa, 30 years after Windhoek (The Backstory S4E1)

Author: WAN-IFRA, World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers May 7, 2021 Duration: 35:04
It’s been thirty years since the Windhoek Declaration for the Development of a Free, Independent and Pluralistic Press was born on May 3, 1991 in Namibia. The declaration was not only a proud moment for African journalism, it also inspired others to do the same, and the United Nations launched World Press Freedom Day on May 3 two years later. Though some countries across the African continent have made press freedom gains since then, many continue to struggle with journalist safety, independence and financial pressures. What are the press freedom challenges facing African media? And what steps are being taken towards improvement? In this episode: - Angela Quintal (twitter.com/angelaquintal) Director of the Africa program, Committee to Protect Journalists (cpj.org) - Gwen Lister (twitter.com/GwenLister1), founder, The Namibian (https://www.namibian.com.na) - Churchill Otieno (twitter.com/otienoc), Head of Development & Learning, The Nation (https://thenationonlineng.net), President, Kenya Editors' Guild - Joan Chirwa (twitter.com/ChirwaJoan), Founder, The Free Press Initiative, Zambia (twitter.com/ZambiaFree) For more resources and tips visit WAN-IFRA's press freedom page (wan-ifra.org/about-us/press-freedom/). The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode. Music in this episode: Simple Hop by Broke for Free (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Slam_Funk/Broke_For_Free_-_Slam_Funk_-_11_Simple_Hop)

Ever wonder what really happens before a story hits the front page or goes live online? The Backstory: A media freedom podcast, from the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, pulls back the curtain on the entire process. It’s not just for journalists and editors, but for anyone curious about the mechanics and the human effort behind the news we consume. Each episode digs into the real-world conditions that shape reporting, moving from abstract ideals to the gritty, daily realities faced by media professionals across the globe. In its current season, the conversation focuses sharply on the pressing state of press freedom, with voices from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the MENA region providing firsthand accounts. These aren’t theoretical discussions; they are grounded in the challenges of operating in restrictive environments, fighting misinformation, and maintaining integrity under pressure. The dialogue also turns toward constructive paths forward, examining how the industry is adapting and what solutions are emerging. A significant thread running through these talks is the impact of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, and how they are fundamentally altering the future landscape of journalism. By tuning into this podcast, you’ll hear unvarnished perspectives on both the threats to a free press and the innovative resilience defining its next chapter.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 30

The Backstory: A media freedom podcast
Podcast Episodes
Dying to be a journalist (The Backstory S1E1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:30
We start with the basics: the threats facing journalists worldwide. Too often, journalists put safety aside to “get” the story; editors don’t anticipate the problems that their reporters or their newsrooms can face. How…