By Raylenne Kambua
World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2026, held in Lusaka, unfolded as both a celebration and a moment of reckoning for journalism across Africa. Against a backdrop of shifting political, technological, and economic pressures, this year’s commemoration brought together journalists, policymakers, civil society actors, and media development partners to reflect on the state of press freedom and to chart a path forward.
Running in parallel was the Africa Media Congress, which attracted a wide cross-section of media stakeholders from across the continent. These convenings created a critical space for dialogue, convergence, and renewed commitment to the principles of independent and pluralistic media systems first articulated in the Windhoek Declaration.
A Continent in Conversation
As echoed in the keynote reflections, the day is rooted in Africa’s own struggle for truth, dignity, and democratic accountability. The return of global commemorations to the continent underscored this legacy, even as recent developments cast a shadow over the proceedings as Churchill Otieno, the immediate former Chairman of the AMC Steering Committee highlighted.
Concerns emerged following the reported cancellation of RightsCon in Lusaka, raising broader questions about freedom of expression, assembly, and civic space. These tensions were not treated as isolated incidents, but as part of a wider pattern across the continent where journalists increasingly face detention, intimidation, surveillance, and legal harassment.
From the detention of journalists in Tunisia, to reported arrests and intimidation in Mozambique, to the devastating toll of conflict on media practitioners in Sudan. The recognition of the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate with the 2026 UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize served as both a tribute to resilience and a sobering reminder of the risks journalists continue to face.
Gender, Safety, and Structural Inequality
A key highlight of the week was a session led in collaboration with WAN-IFRA, which placed gender equality at the centre of the discussions. The panel brought together perspectives from research, policy and funding to interrogate how gender-based harassment and systemic inequalities shape newsroom environments and journalistic output.
The session aligned with ongoing global research initiatives under WAN-IFRA’s Women in News programme, in partnership with BBC Media Action and City St George’s, University of London. It also complemented insights from UNESCO’s World Trends Report, particularly its focus on online harassment.
Gender-based violence both offline and online limits participation, shapes editorial decisions, and ultimately weakens press freedom and public trust. Addressing these challenges demands sustained political will, targeted funding, and structural reforms within media institutions.
Regional Monitoring and Response
The International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT Kenya) was actively represented in these conversations, with its chair Josephine Karani contributing to discussions on regional monitoring and response mechanisms for attacks against women journalists.
Drawing from an initiative supported by UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), IAWRT highlighted ongoing efforts to document violations, including the development of a digital observatory that tracks threats. The tool, which has so far recorded over 200 violation cases against female journalists in Africa, is vital in providing evidence-based advocacy and informing policy interventions.
To strengthen accountability and response, IAWRT is also working with Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) to advance the legal dimension of these cases.
“Each case will be handled by the designated PALU member in the respective country, who will serve as the focal point for legal assistance, coordination with the affected journalist, and reporting to PALU on case progress.” Affirmed, Josephine Karani.
As part of the implementation framework, each country or region will have a designated lawyer confirmed at the outset to ensure coordinated, context-specific legal response and sustained follow-through on cases.
A Sector Under Pressure
Beyond safety and rights, the Africa Media Congress highlighted deep structural shifts in journalism. Newsrooms face economic strain while audiences fragment across digital platforms that often favor engagement over accuracy. At the same time, AI, disinformation, and the growing power of global tech platforms are reshaping how information is produced and consumed, placing greater democratic responsibility on already stretched public interest media.
Yet, opportunity remains. Africa’s youthful population and vibrant digital cultures offer a chance to reimagine storytelling, reclaim narratives, and build media systems that are more inclusive, resilient, and grounded in local realities.
“We have the chance to tell the African story that is not decorative, not extractive and not apologetic. A story in which Africans are not merely victims of global systems but makers of meaning, builders of institutions and authors of democratic futures.”- Churchill Otieno
From Dialogue to Action
As the week drew to a close the need to move from conversation to institutional action stood out. The Africa Media Congress, in particular, was positioned as a platform that must evolve beyond periodic convenings into a sustained, accountable, and representative continental body.
This includes strengthening collaboration with regional institutions such as the African Union, while maintaining independence and credibility. It also means bringing together diverse actors from editors and publishers to researchers, women’s networks, and youth leaders into a shared vision for the future of African media.
At its core, the discussions in Lusaka reaffirmed a fundamental principle: journalism is not a private inconvenience to power. It is a public good essential to democracy, development, and the protection of human rights.
A Defining Moment
Press freedom in Africa stands at a crossroads. The challenges are undeniable, but so is the resolve of those working to defend it. From calls for accountability in cases of violence against journalists, to renewed focus on gender equality, to the push for stronger continental collaboration, the week’s discussions reflected both urgency and determination.
In the end, the significance of WPFD lies not only in what is said, but in what follows. The real test will be whether the commitments made in Lusaka translate into tangible protections, stronger institutions, and a media ecosystem that truly serves the public interest.
