Reclaiming Media Integrity: How to apply for MIIA’s new initiative led by 20 African icons
In an era where misinformation and ethical lapses threaten the credibility of journalism, a bold initiative is stepping forward to reshape the landscape.
The Media Integrity Initiative Africa (MIIA) has officially launched, bringing together an elite consortium of 20 veteran media professionals dedicated to restoring integrity, responsibility, and excellence in African journalism.
MIIA is a non-governmental organisation committed to teaching and training media practitioners – free of charge – on the ethics, demands, and practices of responsible, people-focused journalism. Through structured online training, expert mentorship, and practical leadership, the initiative seeks to nurture a new generation of ethical and proficient media professionals.
At the heart of MIIA’s mission is the principle of “training the trainers and the trainable” – ensuring that media professionals not only attain personal excellence but also become role models and influencers within the industry. The initiative offers a quarterly curriculum featuring online courses and electives tailored to different sectors of the media space, ranging from investigative journalism and ethical reporting to broadcast presentation, financial reporting, and entertainment media.
To drive this vision, MIIA has assembled a formidable Board of Facilitators – an exclusive network of renowned editors, broadcasters, media executives, and journalism scholars.
These distinguished professionals, including Lanre Ìdòwú, Richard Akinnola, Ohi Alegbe, Tony Onyima, Tokunbo Ojekunle, Adeboye Ola, Azu Ishiekwene, Seun Olagunju, Marcel Okeke, and Lekan Otufodunrin, will lead structured training modules designed to equip participants with the highest standards of media professionalism. Other facilitators are: Yakubu Lawal, Fisayo Soyombo, Michael Effiong, Deji Balogun, Yinka Shokunbi, Monday Ashibogwu, Olumide Iyanda, Johnson Onime, Lanre Arogundade, and Alex Ogundadegbe.
All training sessions will be conducted virtually, ensuring unrestricted access to aspiring and practicing media professionals across Africa. Participation is entirely free, with no financial, political, or ideological barriers – except that enrollees must be Africans involved in, or interested in, media-related careers. Interested participants are encouraged to register via this link to secure their slots.
“We are building a future where African media is defined by trust, accuracy, and a commitment to the public good,” said Femi Akintunde-Johnson, Coordinator of MIIA. “Our facilitators are not just teachers; they are industry icons with decades of experience, stepping forward to ensure that the next generation of journalists and media practitioners uphold the highest ethical and professional standards.”
The first training session in the quarterly virtual training series will take place over two Saturdays in April 2025 (12th and 19th), from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM via an online webinar platform.
The first day will have Tony Onyima, PhD, FNGE, the former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Sun, steer a training on ‘Writing for Digital Media’ from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM WAT. Onyima also served as the Commissioner for Information, Culture & Tourism, Anambra State and is currently the Managing Consultant, Bridgehead Communications Network Ltd.
The second session on April 12, will focus on “Crisis Communication and Management” which will be facilitated by Alex Ogundadegbe. He is the former Entertainment Editor, Punch; former Editor, The Week; Certified Trainer in HRM, Customer Service, etc. and the CEO, Optimum Performance.
On April 19, the morning session will be coordinated by Tokunbo Ojekunle who will focus on “The Art of Effective Presentation.” Ojekunle is a veteran broadcaster and former Head of Presentations at Radio Lagos. He also served in various capacities as the Director of Marketing at Eko FM and the General Manager at Max FM.
Adeboye Ola, PhD, a veteran photojournalist and the Deputy Provost, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos will tutor students on “Photography: The Critical Minimum Facilitator” in the last session of the quarter.
