EAC Supports Ethical Journalism and Innovation
By Paul Mallimbo
Arusha: The East African Community (EAC) is encouraging everyone in the region to work together to protect press freedom, especially as technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the media landscape. While these new tools can enhance news coverage, they also pose risks to truth and democracy.
During the World Press Freedom Day celebration, Lilian Kiarie, an expert in communication and media, representing EAC Secretary General Hon. Veronica M. Nduva, shared her journey from being a journalist to a policymaker.
“For me, this issue is very personal,” she reflected, recalling her ten years in East African journalism when the public had a strong trust in the media, and social media was just beginning to grow.
“Today, everything has changed dramatically,” she noted, highlighting how citizen journalism and AI have made it easier for people to get and share information quickly. However, this growth comes with serious challenges, such as the rapid spread of misinformation and AI-generated fake news, which often overtakes the truth.
Lilian stressed that the key challenge is finding ways to use these innovative tools without compromising journalistic values. “Journalists today need to think about how to use these technologies responsibly while maintaining the core principles of accurate and trustworthy journalism,” she said.
To tackle these issues, the EAC is launching a comprehensive Digital Transformation Strategy that focuses on AI. This five-year plan includes a $40 million investment from development partners for improving digital infrastructure and education, which will help create a stronger digital economy in the region.
Some key projects involve regional data centers and innovation hubs to encourage creativity and research in health, agriculture, education, and digital trade. Lilian mentioned that over 4,000 students have already been trained in digital skills at the EAC Centre of Excellence for ICT in Arusha, with plans to expand AI training to reach an additional 50,000 young people, including women.
The EAC is also working on forming a regional AI Alliance, a collaboration that will include governments, educational institutions, civil society, and businesses to promote responsible AI development. Furthermore, a legal framework to regulate data sharing is under consideration to ensure ethical practices during this technological transformation.
The EAC encourages journalists to remain committed to truth and transparency while urging governments to create supportive environments that protect freedom of expression and foster innovation.