The 61st session of the Union of African Journalists (UAJ) opened in Cairo with calls for a stronger, freer, and more ethical African press.
The three-week programme brings together 22 journalists from 20 African countries, alongside Egyptian participants and press syndicate leaders from Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, and Uganda.
Counselor Reem Hindi, representing Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation, said the Council would continue to support the union’s training initiatives.
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She stressed that Africa needed journalists equipped to handle the speed and pressures of global news.
“We believe this is not just about skills. It is about preparing African journalists to meet the responsibilities of our time with courage and competence,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of UAJ President Mahfouz Al-Ansary, Ezzat Ibrahim, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Ahram Weekly, said the union has always stood for press freedom and professional solidarity.
“We live in a turbulent world where information moves at the speed of light. This demands a press that is professional, principled, and committed to defending society’s right to truth,” he said.
He added that the Cairo session was not only about training but also “a clear statement that Africa’s media destiny must be shaped by Africans themselves, through cooperation and solidarity.”
Ibrahim further emphasised that the union’s role was to build trust in journalism at a time when misinformation spreads rapidly.
Dr. Samia Abbas, Secretary-General of the Union, described the training as proof that African journalists can pool their strengths to defend the continent’s voice.
The programme features seminars on trade, conflict reporting, human rights, and foreign policy, combined with practical training in AI-driven editing and newsroom practice.