Media and religions : AUB calls for greater consideration of African traditions in the continent's Radio and Television channels

An international conference focused on the role and challenges of religious journalism in Africa opened on April 14, 2025, in Nairobi. This significant event, organized jointly by the International Association of Religion Journalists (IARJ), KAS Media Africa, Aga Khan University, and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (within its Media Program for Sub-Saharan Africa), brought together participants from diverse backgrounds over three days (April 14-16, 2025). The core objective was to address the crucial issues surrounding the coverage of religious phenomena on the continent, and to promote greater accuracy, empathy, and best practices in religious journalism.

During his presentation on April 15, Grégoire Ndjaka, the Director General of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), underscored the complex and essential role that African media play in constructing and disseminating religious narratives. He emphasized the critical need to acknowledge the inherent ethical challenges and the urgency of fostering authentic interreligious dialogue through media platforms.

Mr. Ndjaka particularly highlighted the unique responsibility of public service media, which must provide a voice not only to dominant faiths (Christianity, Islam) but also, and crucially, to the diverse traditional African religions, often marginalized or misunderstood.

He passionately advocated for greater attention to the preservation and enhancement of our ancestral spiritualities, which he considers an integral and invaluable part of African cultural heritage.

The Nairobi conference served as a vital forum to address the imperatives for media outlets to navigate carefully the complex influences of political and religious power, to actively combat disinformation, and to significantly strengthen the skills of journalists. 

A central focus was placed on the training and specialization of media professionals, who must acquire a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of traditional African religions, their rites, their values, and their multifaceted place within society.

Throughout the discussions, the Director General of the AUB reaffirmed the African Union of Broadcasting's unwavering commitment to supporting these crucial endeavors. The AUB pledges to encourage the creation of high-quality content, promote ongoing training and specialization, and advocate tirelessly for balanced and respectful representation of all forms of spirituality, reflecting the richness and diversity of Africa's religious landscape.