New officials elected for TAEF

20 Oct 2010

The Africa Editor's Forum (TAEF) elected Cheriff Sy, publishing director of Bendre and media analyst in Burkina Faso as its new chairperson at its biannual conference held in Mali, 14-16 October 2010. The conference hosted over 190 senior African editors, editorial executives and media trainers from 36 countries.

Cheriff, who has been the vice chairperson of TAEF for the last three years, takes over from Mathatha Tsedu, the head of Media24 Journalism Academy of South Africa. Tsedu served as TAEF's chair since 2003 when the organisation was established.

Other elected officials

Others elected were Mondli Makhanya, editor-in-chief of the South African media company Avusa and chairperson of the SA National Editors Forum (SANEF), who becomes the new vice chairperson; Elizabeth Barratt, deputy head of the Media24 Journalism Academy, as the secretary general of TAEF. Barratt was treasurer for the last three years. Former secretary general Rosemary Okello Orlale of Kenya was elected treasurer.

Their terms of office last for two years. The African Editor's Forum was started in 2003 when editors from all over the continent met for the first time to look at the role and responsibility of senior journalists and editors in Africa following the formation of the AU.

The objective of TAEF is strengthening the quality of journalism and defending and promoting media freedom and independence of the media in Africa. It also aspires to provide sustainable, credible, professional and inspirational support for African editors.