Neema Iyer is the founder of Pollicy, an innovative feminist civic technology collective in Kampala that combines data, design, and digital rights. Under her leadership, Pollicy has led 100+ projects, trained 5,000+ individuals in data skills, and created playful civic tools like “Digital Safe‑tea” and “Choose Your Own Fake News”. In 2021, she was appointed to Facebook/Meta’s Global Women’s Safety Advisory Board.

One of the key discussions in this episode with Neema revolves around the necessity of centering African women's voices in technology. She emphasizes that digital tools should be designed with the needs of African women in mind, rather than being an afterthought. This perspective is crucial in a world where technology often perpetuates existing inequalities.

The conversation also touches on the importance of play and creativity in learning. Neema argues that traditional educational methods can be restrictive, especially for girls. She believes that incorporating play into learning not only makes it more engaging but also fosters a deeper understanding of complex issues like digital safety and gender-based violence.

This innovative approach is reflected in her work with Policy, where they utilize games and interactive tools to educate communities about digital safety in a way that feels accessible and relatable.

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If you’d like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/]

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Her Media Diary Episode 51: “Achieving Digital Safety Through Creativity” with Neema Iyer

Farah Fortune is the founder & Managing Director of African Star Communications, a full-service PR agency, focusing on customized strategic public relations campaigns.

Farah, dubbed ‘The Pitbull in Heels’, established her PR agency in 2008 with just R1,000, a laptop, and a phone, and is the brain behind some of the continent’s most iconic brand and celebrity campaigns.

In this episode, Farah talks about starting from scratch, managing public crises, mentoring young women in PR, and vital tips every communications professional should have. She also talks about the benefits of building and maintaining a strong relationship with the media as a PR manager, being authentic and giving genuine, relevant information at all times.

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If you’d like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/]

Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms. Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don’t forget to join the conversation using the hashtag #hermediadiary.

Her Media Diary Episode 50: “Spinning Truth to Power” with Farah Fortune

Fatima Jones is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. With a career spanning over 20 years in public relations, marketing, and communications, predominantly in the nonprofit and arts sectors, her specialty lies in positioning cultural institutions in ways that not only increase visibility but also ensure they are culturally relevant, inclusive, and reflective of diverse audiences.

In this episode, Fatima speaks on age-old strategies and principles for effective corporate communication that are still relevant today despite technological advancements.

She cited times when she was asked to be seen and not heard; to just be the ‘black face’ in the room whose opinion is not needed. She also talks about some of the things that keep her going as a black female in the corporate communications sector, regardless of the many barriers that come with it.

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If you’d like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/]

Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms. Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don’t forget to join the conversation using the hashtag #hermediadiary.

Her Media Diary Episode 49: “Seen, Heard & Leading in Corporate Spaces” with Fatima Jones

Stephanie Busari is the founder and CEO of SBB Media, an organisation dedicated to ensuring that Africa's stories are authored, owned, and told by those who understand its soul. She is also an Emmy Award-winning journalist and Former Head of Africa digital team at CNN. 

In April 2016, she exclusively obtained the “proof of life” video showing that the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls. This footage was crucial in facilitating negotiations that led to the release of over 100 girls.

In this episode, she talks about the ethics of storytelling, the responsibility of media in times of crisis, and what it takes to lead in international journalism as an African woman. Stephanie, among other things, advises African women to learn the act of putting their hands out to do challenging but impactful work.

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If you’d like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/]

Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms, Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don’t forget to join the conversation using the hashtag, #hermediadiary.

Her Media Diary Episode 48: “Bringing Rigour to African Journalism” with Stephanie Busari

Deborah is a PhD Candidate at Universität des Saarlandes (Germany), researching fair machine learning to reduce bias against marginalized groups. Prior to her PhD, she was a Lecturer in Data Science & AI at the Academic City University College, Accra, Ghana. She is also the co‑founder of Women Promoting Science to the Younger Generation (WPSYG), an organisation supporting more girls into STEM and AI.

In this episode, Deborah unpacks how generative AI can deepen gender-based harm, especially for African women. She discusses how machine learning models are shaped by historical human bias, which is then transferred to machine learning models, leading to continued discrimination.

According to her, investing in research that focuses on auditing the systems should not be an afterthought of big tech companies but something they should embed into the system from the start.

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If you’d like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/]

Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms, Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don’t forget to join the conversation using the hashtag, #hermediadiary.

Her Media Diary Episode 47: “Linking Human Bias to AI & Machine Learning” with Deborah Kanubala

Mwende is the Co-convener of the AI Salon by Webworks, with expertise in AI ethics, data journalism, ethnographic research, and dataset building. She also specialises in critiquing models and systems for bias, and teaching media and institutions how to adapt to AI in a meaningful and responsible manner.

In this episode, she joins us to talk about tech-facilitated GBV, the risks of AI-generated harm, and what it means to reclaim data with care and creativity.

Mwende reminds us that data isn’t neutral; it’s shaped by who gets counted and who gets erased. And as generative AI becomes more powerful, we need storytellers like her, brave enough to collect what’s missing, and wise enough to tell it with care

Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

If you’d like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/]

Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms, Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don’t forget to join the conversation using the hashtag #hermediadiary.

Her Media Diary Episode 46: “Curating Datasets against AI-Facilitated GBV” with Mwende Mukwanyaga

Dr. Grace Githaiga is the CEO at KICTANET [https://www.kictanet.or.ke/] and a visionary leader with over 20 years of expertise in ICT policy advocacy. She spearheads progressive advocacy for inclusive ICT policies on data protection, cybersecurity, gender, accessibility, and civic digital rights.

In this episode, she joins us to unpack what feminist digital justice really means in the age of AI, and why we must act now to make our digital futures safe and inclusive for all. She encourages women to learn to report cases of Tech-facilitated GBV both to law enforcement agencies and tech platforms. According to her, these platforms would most likely be moved to action when they have so many people reporting cases of abuse as against when it is just a few persons.

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If you’d like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/]

Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms, Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don’t forget to join the conversation using the hashtag, #hermediadiary.

Her Media Diary Episode 45: “Regulating AI: Who's Responsible for Gendered Harm?” with Dr Grace Githaiga

Sandra Aceng is a human rights defender and digital rights advocate from Uganda. She is also the Executive Director of Women of Ugandan Network (WOUGNET), an organization that engages in research, policy advocacy, and capacity-building programs to ensure gender inclusivity in Uganda’s digital landscape.

In this episode, Sandra discusses her personal journey into activism, the digital realities faced by women in Uganda, how AI may be perpetuating gendered harm, and what the path forward looks like for creating safer digital spaces.

As AI advances and our lives become increasingly digitised, we cannot afford to overlook gender in tech conversations. Sandra’s work is a powerful call to action for governments, developers, media platforms, and all of us to centre women’s experiences and safety in every aspect of the digital world.

Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

If you’d like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/]

Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms. Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don’t forget to join the conversation using the hashtag #hermediadiary.

Her Media Diary Episode 44: “Open, Free & Secure Internet for Women” with Sandra Aceng

In this special episode recorded live at the AWiM24 Conference in Dakar, Senegal,  Dr Yemisi had the honour of speaking with four phenomenal women who have spent decades shaping African journalism: Dr. Lilian Okonkwo-Ogabu, Angela Agoawike, Ekong Uduak, and Ireti Bakare-Yusuf.

These are women who have walked through fire, navigating tough newsrooms, evolving technologies, political pressures, and shifting audience expectations. And still, they remain passionate, purposeful, and powerful.

You’ll hear them reflect on the lessons they wish they’d learned earlier, how they stay relevant in a constantly changing media landscape, and what advice they have for young journalists trying to make their mark, especially in challenging environments.

Whether you’re just starting out or a few years in, this is the wisdom you didn’t know you needed. 

Share your reflections with us on social media using the hashtag #HerMediaDiary.

If you haven’t already, subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to leave a review..  To find out more about this podcast, visit www.hermediadiary.com.

Her Media Diary Episode 43: Career Tips From Veteran Women Journalists

Dr Joyce Kirabo is a lecturer and trainer with over 13 years of experience in mentoring, coaching, teaching and delivering training programs. She holds a PhD in business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. In a world where stories of resilience and determination often go unheard, the journey of Dr. Joyce stands out as a beacon of hope. Growing up as a refugee in Uganda, Dr. Joyce faced immense challenges that could have easily derailed her dreams. However, her unwavering commitment to education became her lifeline, guiding her through the darkest of times.

Dr. Joyce's early life was marked by the trauma of the Rwandan genocide, a period that left deep scars on her community and family. As she navigated her childhood, she witnessed the struggles of her parents, who worked tirelessly to provide for their family despite their own lack of education. This backdrop instilled in her a profound understanding of the value of education, especially for women who often faced additional societal barriers.

Determined to rise above her circumstances, Dr. Joyce excelled academically, earning multiple diplomas and degrees against all odds.

Today, Dr. Joyce is not only a lecturer and trainer but also a role model for young women aspiring to make their mark in the media industry.

Subscribe to Her Media Diary now on your favourite podcasting platform https://linktr.ee/hermediadiary

Learn more about the podcast via www.hermediadiary.com

List of Organisations/Resources to Support Women in Media

 * Rise Women in Broadcast [https://risewib.com/about]
 * Journalist’s Toolbox: [https://www.journaliststoolbox.org/]
 * International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) [https://www.iwmf.org/our-programs/fund-for-women-journalists-professional-development-case-studies/]
 * African Women in Media (AWiM) [https://africanwomeninmedia.com/]
 * Public Media Women in Leadership [https://publicmediawomeninleadership.org/]
 * International Journalists’ Network (IJNet) [https://ijnet.org/en]
 * Women’s Media Center (WMC) [https://womensmediacenter.com/]
 * Media Career Development Network [https://mediacareerng.org/]
 * The World Journalism Education Council (WJEC) [https://wjec.net/about/]
 * AWiM Learning [https://awimlearning.com/]

Her Media Diary Episode 42: “Winning Against All Odds” with Dr Joyce Kirabo

Dr Yemisi Akinbobola dives into the lived experiences of successful African women in media. Her personal interview style takes you on the life journey of these leading women. You will be inspired, laugh, but most of all you will be empowered knowing that you too can make it in the media industry.