Good Journalism Is Too Important To Be Left To The Media Industry Alone
It is with great honour that I accept my appointment as Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Board for the Centre for Media Innovations & Sustainability – Africa (CMIS Africa).
I am deeply humbled by the trust placed in me by the boards of CEO East Africa Magazine and The Firm Ltd, and I embrace this role with a strong sense of responsibility.
Having served in academia and journalism for close to three decades, I have witnessed first-hand the transformative power of good journalism — and the risks we face when it falters.
Journalism is not merely an occupation; it is a public good, a cornerstone of democracy, and a vital driver of informed civic participation. It must be protected, nurtured, and reimagined for the realities of today.
We are living through a time when the core ethos of journalism is under trial. Political interference, censorship, and outdated business models are eroding editorial independence.
Financial vulnerability has left many newsrooms overly dependent on corporate sponsorships and advertising, compromising their ability to report without fear or favour.
Many are under-resourced, lacking the tools, training, and infrastructure to deliver in-depth, investigative, and sector-specific reporting.
If journalism is to survive — and thrive — in the digital age, we must invest in the next generation of journalists: professionals who are not only skilled in storytelling but also fluent in technology, innovative in approach, and unwavering in ethics.
This is why CMIS Africa exists — to rebuild and future-proof journalism in Africa, starting with Uganda, through media incubation, sector-specialised fellowships, capacity building, collaboration, and evidence-based research.
I look forward to working with our board, partners, and the wider media community to ensure that good journalism — journalism that is independent, ethical, and impactful — is not left solely to the market’s mercy, but supported as the critical public good it truly is.
Prof. Adolf E. Mbaine
Chairman, Strategic Advisory Board
Centre for Media Innovations & Sustainability – Africa
