The Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) has unveiled plans to mark the 2026 World Press Freedom Day with a focus on how journalism can help prevent conflict and promote peace, as media professionals prepare to gather in Asaba.
The event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 6, at the DOPF Secretariat located near St. Patrick’s College, with proceedings expected to begin at 11:00 a.m., according to a statement released by the forum’s planning committee.
Organisers explained that although the global observance traditionally holds on May 3, this year’s local event was moved to May 6 to allow broader participation from stakeholders, including journalists, academics, and policy contributors.
The statement, signed by committee secretary Inneh-Ozah Barth and chairman Julius Oweh, highlighted that the programme will centre on strengthening the media’s role in fostering stability and responsible public discourse.
Delivering the keynote lecture is Gideon Uduchukwu Isika of Dennis Osadebay University, who will speak on “Journalism as a Tool for Conflict Prevention and Peace Building,” aligning with this year’s global theme on using media to shape a more peaceful future.
World Press Freedom Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, following earlier recommendations by UNESCO to promote press independence worldwide.
Its origins date back to the Windhoek Declaration, a landmark statement by African journalists advocating for a free and pluralistic media environment, which has since become a global reference point for press freedom advocacy.
As part of the programme, Felix Ofou, Executive Assistant on New Media to the Delta State Governor, is expected to attend as Special Guest of Honour, alongside a wide range of media practitioners and scholars.
DOPF noted that the gathering will not only celebrate the media’s watchdog role in democracy but also encourage deeper engagement on issues of accountability, ethical reporting, and nation-building.
The forum added that the event will serve as a platform to strengthen collaboration within the media industry while promoting responsible journalism as a key driver of peace, unity, and sustainable development.
