By KPC Reporter
As the Pan-African Media Councils Summit concluded in Arusha, selected delegates from East African Community (EAC) member states transitioned into a strategic training session at the EAC headquarters.
The session, jointly organized by the EAC Secretariat and the East African Press Councils (EAPC), focused on the Community’s mandate, protocols, and integration challenges.
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Among the Kenyan delegates were top-tier journalists recently recognized at the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA), a testament to Kenya’s growing media influence.
According to Victor Bwire, Director of Media Training and Development at the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), “Kenya’s delegation featured some of the finest minds in journalism. Their presence here signals the importance of media in shaping regional narratives.”
The training highlighted the EAC’s institutional framework, including the Legislative Assembly, the Court of Justice, and the Secretariat.
It also explored the achievement of the Community and persistent hurdles, which include financial constraints.
A key concern raised was the disparity in professional mobility across the region.
While lawyers and other professionals enjoy cross-border licensing, journalists remain restricted despite their pivotal role in promoting peace, integration, and access to information.
Delegates agreed that journalists must be placed at the heart of the integration process.
Their ability to inform, educate, and connect communities makes them indispensable to the EAC’s vision of unity and shared prosperity.
“There’s more to gain when member states unite than when they disintegrate,” said a delegate from Somalia.
The EAPC, which draws membership from EAC partner states, reaffirmed its commitment to harmonizing media accreditation and fostering cross-border collaboration.
The training also underscored the need for journalists to understand the EAC’s legal and policy frameworks to report effectively on regional affairs.
Member states of EAC are Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, DRC Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and Somalia, which joined the Community latest.
The eight countries collaborate on regional integration efforts, including trade, infrastructure, peacebuilding, and shared governance through institutions like the East African Legislative Assembly, the Court of Justice, and the EAC Secretariat.
