NAIROBI, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Young digital content creators in Africa should use their platforms to drive positive social and economic transformation, a UNESCO official said at a media literacy event Monday in Nairobi.
Louise Haxthausen, director and representative of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, made the remarks at a regional event of the UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2026 in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.
The two-day event, under the theme "Digital Content Creators Play a Part: Driving Media and Information Literacy in Africa," brought together policymakers, tech executives, scholars and 90 content creators from across Africa to explore strategies for advancing media and information literacy, combating misinformation and promoting responsible platform use.
Participants will also exchange best practices on professionalizing the content creation industry, navigating the ethical use of artificial intelligence, enhancing online safety, and strengthening digital governance and accountability.
Haxthausen emphasized that content creators play a pivotal role in shaping the continent's future by producing content that informs the public, fosters peace, and promotes social cohesion and inclusivity.
"Digital content creators are playing a powerful role in shaping public conversations, influencing opinions and encouraging civic participation across the continent," she said. "They are opening spaces for diverse voices, sharing knowledge in different languages, and creating new opportunities for public participation."
Haxthausen noted that UNESCO has partnered with African governments and continental blocs to promote information integrity, support ethical content creation, and strengthen the resilience of digital platforms.
She said that robust regulations and heightened vigilance are essential to combating disinformation and hate speech, warning that harmful content, if left unaddressed, risks fueling social unrest and eroding trust in public institutions.
To address these challenges, UNESCO has stepped up its collaboration with African digital creators by providing training, expanding research and promoting knowledge sharing to build an information ecosystem that safeguards freedom of expression while fostering innovation and empowering communities, according to Haxthausen. ■
