Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) has released a new industry intelligence report warning that cybersecurity vulnerabilities, cloud dependencies and AI-driven disinformation pose growing risks to Africa’s broadcasting sector, calling for urgent action to protect broadcast infrastructure and public trust.
Taken from the recent BMA Webinar “Securing the Signal: Cybersecurity Threats and Defence Strategies for Broadcasters,” the report draws on insights from industry experts Sivan Pillay, CEO of 360 Degrees South; JB (Joseph) Allotey, Head of Technical Production at Channel One TV, Ghana; and Silas Phoshoko of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
The report highlights concerns about inadequate separation between corporate IT and broadcast networks, regulatory gaps, reliance on foreign-hosted cloud infrastructure, content piracy, and the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes. These vulnerabilities could expose broadcasters to service disruptions, unauthorised access and the spread of manipulated content, undermining their credibility and operational resilience.
To address these challenges, the report calls for stronger cybersecurity frameworks, improved content authentication, secure hybrid cloud solutions, and greater collaboration among broadcasters, regulators, governments, and technology providers. It also emphasises the importance of sharing threat intelligence across the industry to strengthen collective preparedness against emerging cyberattacks.
The findings underline that cybersecurity is no longer merely an IT responsibility but a strategic priority linked to national security, information integrity and audience confidence.
“This conversation is not about technology for technology’s sake. It is about survival, trust, and whether African broadcasters remain credible sources of information in a world where AI can generate convincing fake news in minutes,” said Sivan Pillay, session moderator and Broadcast Producer.
Through the report, BMA encourages broadcasters across Africa to move beyond reactive security measures and adopt proactive strategies that safeguard their infrastructure, protect content and ensure the continuity of reliable broadcasting services.
To access the full report, please click HERE.
