KAS hosts round-table meeting on disinformation and fake news in Berlin

HEADS of media regulatory institutions from eight African countries are in Berlin, Germany, attending a six-day meeting aimed at discussing the best approaches to develop regulations that will help curb the spread of false information.

The organisations are the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), National Media Commission of Ghana, Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe, Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia, Press Council of South Africa, Media Council of Kenya, Media Ombudsman of Namibia, and German Press Council.

The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) has hosted a significant round-table meeting that has brought together the above heads of Independent Media Councils and Press Councils from across Africa.

This round table provides a vital platform for heads of Councils to discuss regulatory measures that can be implemented to safeguard independent journalism and ensure that accurate information prevails in the media landscape.

The focus of the discussions is on combating disinformation and fake news, with particular emphasis on the regulation of digital platforms and the crucial role that Independent Media Councils and Press Councils play in this ongoing challenge.

The meeting, which takes place in Berlin from 1–6 June 2025, aims to foster collaboration among media leaders and experts in addressing the growing concerns surrounding misinformation in the digital age.

One of the notable attendees is Ernest Sungura, the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) Executive Secretary, who is also the Chairman of the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA), who shares insights and experiences from his work in self-regulation, promoting journalistic integrity and media accountability in Tanzania.

Speaking during the meeting, the Officer for Complaint Management from the German Press Council, Xenia Balzereit, emphasized the Council’s essential tasks, including monitoring compliance with journalistic ethics as outlined in the German Press Code, addressing complaints regarding media conduct, and advocating for press freedom and accountability.