By Daisy Atino

10 students representing the Journalism and Radio Club were invited by Baraza Media Lab as attendees at the inaugural Africa Media Festival that was held from February 14-15, 2023 at the Radisson Blu hotel, in Upper Hill.

The festival’s main goal was to bring together thought leaders in the media industry from across the continent to deliberate on how to produce, distribute and monetize content. The conference targeted investors, grant makers, media owners, social media platforms, journalists, creatives and governments with the overall theme being a celebration of the power and diversity of African storytelling.

“The festival will offer participants an opportunity to exchange ideas, strategies and discuss innovation in journalism, education and business across a range of sectors including print, broadcasting, entertainment, music, technology and film.” said Executive Director of Baraza Media Lab, Maurice Otieno.

The forum featured speakers from South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Sierra Leone and brands from across the continent like Nation Media Group, Sema Box, The Conversation Africa and organizations like Journalists for Human Rights and The Ford foundation.

The event blended an exhibition style setup with collaborative spaces to allow for more than one session to take place which helped those interested in niche conversations to be catered to.

“Africa Media Festival is keen on creating a space for discussions on innovation and forward-thinking initiatives within different facets of media play,” Otieno added.

It is important for journalism students to attend such events because it gives them exposure to the industry and allows them to meet media personalities they look up too. It also stimulates the students to be able to think outside the box concerning their career path and strive for better.

Some of the key takeaways from the event were the opportunity to learn from those in the industry, to be a part of necessary conversations surrounding the media landscape and network with individuals from various backgrounds.