The Safer-Media Initiative has announced plans to host a roundtable discussion as part of activities marking World Press Freedom Day 2026, with a focus on advancing press freedom, human rights, and national development.
The Independent Mirror reports that the event, scheduled for May 2, 2026, is themed: “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security.”
The Executive Director and CEO of Safer-Media Initiative, Peter Iorter, is expected to deliver the opening remarks, alongside a message from a representative of UNESCO
The discussion session will feature a panel of lead discussants addressing critical issues affecting the media ecosystem.
A professor at Baze University, Adeniyi, will speak on digital transformation and artificial intelligence, exploring how media organisations can leverage AI to strengthen information integrity rather than viewing it as a tool for surveillance or state-driven disinformation.
Also speaking, Adaora Onyechere Sydney-Jack, Executive Director of Gender Strategy Advancement International, will address pluralism, gender equality, and the inclusion of marginalized voices, highlighting the need for a media system that reflects Nigeria’s diversity and promotes social cohesion.
Lemmy Ughegbe, PhD, Executive Director of Make a Difference Initiative, will examine how stronger policy frameworks and legal protections for independent media can advance human rights and support sustainable development.
In her contribution, Juliana Francis, Publisher of Security News Alert, will focus on the intersection of press freedom, peace, and security, questioning how journalists can move beyond reporting conflicts to facilitating peacebuilding without risking their safety or being perceived as unpatriotic.
Similarly, Abdullateef Abubakar Jos, founder and publisher of Solace Base, will discuss media viability and economic development, proposing new business models that could enable local media organisations to operate independently of political patronage.
The organisers noted that the roundtable aims to foster dialogue and generate practical recommendations on strengthening press freedom while promoting national development and security.
Kano Times
