JOHANNESBURG, South Africa: Nigeria’s Mrs. Chinyere Reginald Facah has been elected to the Board of the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA) at the organisation’s inaugural Assembly and Second Annual General Meeting, which ended in Johannesburg on Monday.
Her election was one of the major highlights of the high-level gathering, which opened on September 14, 2026, and brought together leaders of media councils and regulatory bodies from across Africa to deliberate on independent media regulation, accountability, governance and sustainability.
The Assembly considered a range of issues, including NIMCA’s constitutional framework, membership obligations, financial sustainability and mechanisms for responding to growing threats to journalists, media freedom and independent media institutions across the continent.
Declaring the Assembly open, NIMCA Board Chairperson, Dr. Phathiswa Magopeni, expressed concern over the deteriorating media environment in parts of Africa, citing increasing incidents of violence, censorship, internet shutdowns, restrictive legislation and the displacement of journalists in countries including Zambia, Tanzania, Sudan, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
She stressed the importance of strong and credible media councils in promoting responsible journalism, protecting public trust and strengthening the relationship between press freedom and accountability.
“Independent media councils safeguard public trust, credible information and human rights,” Magopeni said, emphasising the need for African media institutions to work together in defending professional standards and independent regulation.
Founded in 2024, NIMCA provides a continental platform for independent media councils to share experiences, strengthen professional standards and promote effective systems of media self-regulation. The network has developed a constitutional framework, partnered with UNESCO on inclusive media standards and established relationships with regional and international partners.
Facah’s election places Nigeria within the leadership structure of the emerging continental network and further highlights the role of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) in promoting professional and ethical journalism and strengthening media accountability in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Press Council is the statutory body responsible for promoting and upholding professional standards in the Nigerian press. Through its mandate, the Council provides a framework for media accountability and ethical journalism while encouraging the press to maintain its responsibility to the public.
Mrs Facah
Facah’s representation on the NIMCA Board therefore provides an opportunity for Nigeria and the Nigerian Press Council to contribute its experience to wider continental discussions on media standards, self-regulation and professional responsibility.
In her acceptance remarks, Facah expressed gratitude to the Assembly for the confidence placed in her and pledged to contribute meaningfully to the work of NIMCA.
“I am deeply honoured by this election and resolve to put in my very best on this new assignment. I will work diligently to make both the nation of Nigeria and my sponsoring body, the Nigerian Press Council, proud. I also thank the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Dr. Dili Ezughah, for the unique opportunity to represent the country,” she said.
The newly constituted NIMCA Board is expected to lead the organisation into its next phase, with emphasis on strengthening independent media regulation, promoting ethical journalism, enhancing accountability and deepening cooperation among African media councils.
For Nigeria, Facah’s election provides a new platform for the Nigerian Press Council to contribute to continental conversations on the future of media regulation and professional standards in Africa.
