Chinyere Facah, director of public relations for the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), has been elected to the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA) board.

Ms Facah was elected at NIMCA’s inaugural assembly and second annual general meeting, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from September 14 to September 21, where she represented the NPC at the high-level continental gathering.

Her election places her on the newly constituted board, where she is expected to contribute to initiatives to advance independent media regulation, ethical journalism, and cooperation among media councils across Africa.

Speaking after her election, Ms Facah pledged to uphold professional standards and contribute meaningfully to the objectives of NIMCA, saying she was committed to making a positive contribution to the network.

“I am deeply honoured by this election and resolve to put in my very best on this new assignment,” she said.

Ms Facah thanked the executive secretary of the NPC, Dili Ezughah, for giving her the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the continental gathering.

“I will work diligently to make both Nigeria and my sponsoring body, the Nigerian Press Council, proud,” she said.

Earlier, NIMCA board chairperson Phathiswa Magopeni raised concern over what she described as a deteriorating press freedom environment in parts of Africa.

Ms Magopeni cited cases of censorship, violence against journalists, internet shutdowns and restrictive legislation in countries including Zambia, Tanzania, Sudan, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

She stressed the need for strong and independent media councils to safeguard public trust, defend human rights and promote a balance between press freedom and media accountability.

According to her, effective media self-regulation remains important in creating an environment where journalists can perform their duties professionally while media organisations remain accountable to the public.

Founded in 2024, NIMCA provides a continental platform for media councils to exchange operational strategies, strengthen self-regulatory systems, and collaborate with international organisations, including UNESCO, to promote inclusive media standards.

(NAN)