The Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) has announced plans to commemorate the 2026 World Press Freedom Day with a programme centred on the role of journalism in promoting peace and preventing conflict.
In a statement issued on Saturday, May 2, 2026,by the Chairman, Mr. Julius Oweh and Inneh-Ozah Barth, Secretary planning committee, the forum disclosed that the event will hold on Wednesday, May 6, at the DOPF Secretariat near St. Patrick’s College in Asaba, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The organisers explained that although World Press Freedom Day is globally observed on May 3, the event was rescheduled to May 6 to allow for broader participation by stakeholders within and outside Delta State.
According to the statement, Gideon Uduchukwu Isika of Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, will deliver the keynote lecture titled “Journalism as a Tool for Conflict Prevention and Peace Building,” aligning with this year’s global emphasis on shaping a peaceful future through responsible media practice.
The forum noted that the observance of World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation from UNESCO.
The annual event is rooted in the Windhoek Declaration of 1991, which underscores the importance of a free, independent, and pluralistic press in democratic societies.
DOPF further disclosed that the event will feature Felix Ofou, Executive Assistant on New Media to the Delta State Governor, as Special Guest of Honour, alongside media practitioners, academics, and other stakeholders expected to participate.
The forum emphasised that the programme will serve as a platform to celebrate the media as the Fourth Estate, while deepening public understanding of its role in governance, accountability, and democratic development.
It added that the engagement would also promote ethical journalism, responsible reporting, and stronger collaboration among media stakeholders in advancing peace, unity, and sustainable development.
