{"id":6024,"date":"2020-01-28T11:34:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-28T10:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amdf-centre.org\/?page_id=6024"},"modified":"2025-08-25T01:53:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T00:53:14","slug":"bagauda-kaltho-memorial-media-lecture","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/amdf-centre.org\/bagauda-kaltho-memorial-media-lecture\/","title":{"rendered":"Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture"},"content":{"rendered":"

Honouring Courage in Journalism Across Africa<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In many African countries today, the cost of telling the truth is rising \u2014 and journalists are often the first to pay the price. From violent crackdowns and arbitrary arrests to digital surveillance and enforced disappearances, journalists face mounting risks simply for doing their job. Amid this climate, the Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture Series<\/strong>\u2014an initiative of the Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF)\u2014emerges as a solemn yet empowering space that centres courage as the lifeblood of ethical journalism.<\/p>\n

The Lecture Series is named in honour of James Bagauda Kaltho<\/strong>, a Nigerian investigative journalist who vanished in 1996 during a dark period of military dictatorship. Known for his bold expos\u00e9s and fierce commitment to justice, Kaltho\u2019s disappearance remains a symbol of the dangers faced by journalists who challenge authority and give voice to the oppressed. His legacy embodies a deeper truth: that journalism in Africa is not just a profession \u2014 it is often a personal risk, and at times, a life-threatening sacrifice.<\/p>\n

Through this annual event, AMDF seeks to immortalize Kaltho\u2019s legacy and inspire a new generation of journalists who remain steadfast in the face of intimidation. The Lecture Series offers a platform for reflection, dialogue, and learning \u2014 convening media professionals, civil society leaders, academics, and advocates to interrogate the realities of courageous journalism across diverse contexts. It is a call to action \u2014 to continue reporting, investigating, and holding power to account even when the odds are stacked against us.<\/p>\n

Since its formal launch in 2019, the Lecture has grown into one of AMDF\u2019s flagship platforms. Each edition tackles a unique theme, but the soul of the event remains consistent: the unwavering belief that truth-telling matters \u2014 and that those who dare to speak it, even under duress, deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated.<\/p>\n

About the Lecture Series<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture Series is not just a memorial \u2014 it is a vibrant and evolving platform designed to stimulate critical thought around journalism\u2019s role in shaping society. Each year, it brings together journalists, editors, media scholars, civil society actors, and policymakers from across Africa to discuss the ethics, risks, and responsibilities of courageous journalism.<\/p>\n

The lecture is structured as a keynote event followed by a panel discussion, where speakers from different countries present insights on a selected theme, followed by an open, interactive dialogue with participants.<\/p>\n

Initially launched as a physical event in Kaduna, Nigeria, growing interest and demand led AMDF to transform it into a virtual, continent-wide gathering. This change has enabled broader participation, giving voice to diverse perspectives and experiences from different regions of Africa. The virtual format also ensures inclusivity, allowing journalists from underrepresented or at-risk communities to contribute to the conversation.<\/p>\n

Each edition focuses on a theme related to courage in journalism \u2014 from covering conflict and corruption, to surviving digital repression, to mental health in the newsroom. The conversation is grounded in real stories, often spotlighting journalists who have navigated threats, intimidation, or censorship while maintaining professional integrity.<\/p>\n

Integration of the Courage in Journalism Award<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In 2016, AMDF introduced the Courage in Journalism Award<\/strong> to honour individual journalists and, later, media organizations that have demonstrated remarkable bravery in the face of personal and professional risk. These are journalists who continued to report despite threats, arrests, harassment, or violence; who exposed injustice in difficult environments; and who chose truth over safety, time and again.<\/p>\n

In 2020, AMDF merged the presentation of this award into the Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture Series, making it a central and symbolic part of the annual event. This integration reinforces the core message of the lecture: that courageous journalism deserves not only recognition, but collective support, protection, and celebration.<\/p>\n

Objectives of the Lecture Series<\/strong><\/p>\n