CAIRO – FATMA SULEIMAN
The African Journalists Union (UAJ) has officially concluded its 63rd training course, known as the Mahfouz El-Ansary Training Course in Cairo, Young journalists were encouraged to focus on truthful journalism and strengthen professional cooperation among journalists across Africa.
The three week training course was sponsored by the Egyptian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, It was organised by UAJ in cooperation with the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, The training brought together journalists and media professionals from different African countries and Egypt.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, UAJ President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Ahram Foundation, Dr Mohamed Fayez Farhat, said that training and communication among African journalists are important ways of building strong relationships and cooperation between African countries.
“We thank Egypt for its hospitality and for providing this opportunity, We have witnessed friendship and cooperation among African journalists, and we hope these results will be reflected in our media organisations,” Dr Farhat said.
He added that journalists need to continue improving their skills in order to keep up with the rapid changes in the media industry, especially technological developments and the growing use of artificial intelligence.
Reem Hindi, an adviser and member of the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, emphasised the importance of continued cooperation between the Council and UAJ.
She said such cooperation would help improve the professional skills of journalists and promote media ethics.
She also confirmed that Egypt is willing to support communication and media cooperation with all African countries.
The President of the Côte d’Ivoire Journalists Union, Marie-Louise, expressed her appreciation for Egypt’s support for African journalists.She said the training had opened a new chapter for professionalism and excellence among African journalists.
She stressed that the biggest challenge now is to ensure journalists become defenders of truth and protectors of the public interest. Remembering Mahfouz El-Ansary.
Reading the will of her late husband, veteran journalist Mahfouz El-Ansary, Mrs Nangwa Khalil said that El-Ansary had led UAJ for 64 years. In his will, he encouraged young journalists to respect time, tell the truth, protect their sources, and use journalism to bring people together.
“This recognition means a lot to us, especially because it recognises his more than 35 years of voluntary service to African journalism” she said.
She added that UAJ has helped develop many leaders in the media and political fields across Africa, and that the responsibility now belongs to the younger generation.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates of the 63rd training course, Zambian journalist Rudith Nalumbaya Namusukuma said that the participants were ready to take on the responsibility of becoming voices for change.
"Our dream is bigger. We will return to our countries with the determination to change the face of journalism in Africa, The three weeks of training we received in Egypt will be reflected in the way we report the news and will have a positive impact on changing the African narrative " Rudith said, The training covered important issues in modern journalism, including digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
The course was attended by Abdullah Hassan, Amall Abdel-Motaleb, Director General of the Training Centre, Dr Samia Abbas, and Secretary General of UAJ, Maher Abdel Aziz, Ayman Adl, and Zeinab Helmy, Director of Training Courses.
UAJ concluded the training with a commitment to continue providing similar training programmes and to strengthen its relationship with Egypt, The aim is to strengthen the role of the media in promoting communication, cooperation, and understanding among African people.
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