Press Statement on the Election of NMT Director Zoe Titus as Chairperson of GFMD

The Namibia Media Trust (NMT) is proud to announce that its director Ms Zoé Titus was elected Chairperson of the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD), during the GFMD’s General Assembly which was held at Tirana, Albania, on September 30, 2021. Titus will be the first African woman to head the GFMD Executive Committee and will do so for the next 4 years.

The GFMD is a prestigious international network of journalism support and media development organisations intent on securing a sustainable future for journalism as a public good. Her appointment is both a great honour and acknowledgement of her consummate commitment to promoting media freedom, free expression and a conducive environment for the operation of media in Namibia and globally.

Titus has extended her compliments and well wishes to her other 16 colleagues also elected to GFMD’s Steering Committee to represent the network’s geographical and topical diversity. She was particularly delighted by the selection of fellow continental colleagues Vusumuzi Sifile – the executive director of Panos Institute Southern Africa from Zambia and committee member from Sub-Saharan Africa -Tabani Moyo, the acting regional director of the Media Institute in Southern Africa (MISA) who was elected as a topical and policy member.

“Africa’s representation is very strong in terms of knowledge and depth and this opportunity provides us with a unique platform through which we can promote a greater understanding on the continent for the need to support a vibrant and sustainable media sector in the interest of democracy”, she said.

“I am truly overwhelmed by the well wishes from colleagues and peers. My tenure will be one marked with service to the GFMD membership and the media development community at large”, Titus remarked.

“I strongly believe that diversity, equity and inclusivity is paramount for the attainment of a just society. We really need to consider under-represented communities – such as people living with physical challenges or mental health issues, women, youth, and LGBTQIA+ communities  – when advocating for the sustainability of the media as a public interest, the safety of journalists, free expression as well as digital rights,” she added.

“We are deeply proud of her achievement, particularly for helping put our NMT Foundation right into the centre of the international media spotlight. We are confident that she will bring a wealth of knowledge to her new position at the GFMD”, said Gwen Lister, chairperson of the NMT.

Congratulating Titus on her election, GFMD’s Executive Director, Mira Milosevic, said, “We are truly delighted that Zoé Titus has been elected as the chair of GFMD. Her understanding of regional and international policy and more than two decades of experience advocating for journalism support, media freedom, freedom of expression, access to information and digital rights will be invaluable as we navigate the huge challenges that lie ahead.”

Enquiries:
Namibia Media Trust (NMT)
info@nmt.africa

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)
communications@gfmd.info