World Press Freedom Day

  On Monday, 04 May 2026, from 14:40 - 15:30 - PLENARY III - Media Viability, Pluralism and Inclusion. This panel explores pathways to viable, independent, and diverse media ecosystems, including support to local and community media, gender equality, inclusion of marginalized voices, and policies that strengthen long-term resilience. Speakers Dr Joe Ageyo, Editor in Chief, Nation Media Group. Ms Susan Makore, Managing Director of the Global Women in News Team, World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). H.E. Ms Karolina Stasiak, Ambassador of the European Union to Zambia and COMESA H.E. Mr Takehiro Kano, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Japan to UNESCO and Chair of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) Moderator:  Mr. Carlos Van Meek, Deputy Executive Director of Editorial, Digital Division, Al Jazeera  Q&A  15:30 - 15:45 - Coffee Break 

  On Monday 04 May 2026; from 14:00 - 14:40 - PLENARY II - Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, and Information Integrity This panel analyzes how digital platforms, algorithms, artificial intelligence, and new information actors reshape freedom of expression, media independence, and public trust and how governance frameworks grounded in human rights can respond to these transformations. Dr Tabani Moyo, Regional Director of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), member of the African Union’s Working Group on Artificial Intelligence Ms Tracy Manners, Deputy Vice President, Director of Global Affairs, Meta Oversight Board Ms Juliet Nanfuka, Researcher, Technology, Society & Power CIPESA Moderator: Ms. Teldah Mawarire, Media & digital expert Q&A

  On Monday May 04; 2026, from 11:50 - 12:35 - PLENARY I - Press Freedom, Peace, Security and Economic Development. This panel examines the importance of journalism in conflict, crisis, recovery, and peacebuilding contexts , including “zones of silence,” journalist safety, and the fight against impunity, recognizing that protecting journalists is inseparable from protecting societies’ right to information . H.E. Mr Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, Ambassador of Cameroon to Ethiopia and Djibouti, Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Mr Gilbert Sendugwa, Executive Director, Africa Freedom of Information. Dr Phathiswa Magopeni Tshangana, Executive Director, Press Council of South Africa & Chairperson of NIMCA. Dr Vera Slavtcheva-Petkova, Reader in Global Journalism and Media, University of Liverpool. Mr Andrew Dabalen, Chief Economist for Africa, World Bank video. Moderator: Ms. Misako Ito, Regional Adviser for Communicati...

As the United Nations celebrates World Press Freedom Day. We will showcase this year’s theme “ A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis ”. We will be hosting the film " Under The Dome ", a powerful documentary on the consequences of air pollution. This film has been banned in China for fear of collective action by the public. The film is directed by journalist, Chai Jing. The screening will be followed by a Panel discussion and Q&A session on press freedom, environmental issues and the need for urgent action on climate change with experts: Bill Code (documentary maker specialiszing in environmental and social justice films) Kara Ortiga (PhD candidate on press freedom in the Phillipines)  Fahimah Badrulhisham (Climate activist) Lesley Hughes (expert in Climate Change; Pro-Chancellor at Macquarie University) PROGRAMME: 5:30 pm - Doors Open/Registration. 6:00 pm - Acknowledgement of Country and Introductory remarks. 6:10 pm - 'Under The...