The World Press Freedom Day Global Conference 2026 is underway in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, bringing together more than 1,000 delegates from across the world to deliberate on the future of journalism in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, conflict, and information disorder.
Co-hosted by UNESCO and the Government of Zambia, the high-level gathering running from May 4 to 5 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC) is convened under the theme “Shaping a Future at Peace.”
Discussions are focused on safeguarding media independence, strengthening journalist safety in volatile environments, and addressing the growing influence of AI on news production and dissemination.
The conference is expected to culminate in the adoption of the “Lusaka Call to Action,” a global declaration aimed at reinforcing principles of press freedom, ethical journalism, and information integrity.
However, the event has been overshadowed by the abrupt cancellation of RightsCon 2026, a major international summit on digital rights scheduled to take place in Lusaka from May 5 to 8, alongside the press freedom gathering.
In a move that has drawn international attention, the Zambian government halted the event just days before it was scheduled to begin, citing concerns that it did not align with “national values” and “policy priorities.” Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati further pointed to unresolved administrative and security clearance requirements for certain participants.
While authorities have framed the decision as procedural, reports suggest geopolitical sensitivities may have played a role, particularly regarding the participation of Taiwanese representatives, an issue often linked to diplomatic pressure from China.
The cancellation has triggered concern among civil society actors and media freedom advocates, who view the development as a potential contradiction to the spirit of openness and dialogue underpinning World Press Freedom Day.
Amid these tensions, the Africa Media Convention set for May 5 and organised by The African Editors’ Forum (TAEF) is expected to provide a continental platform for addressing the sustainability and safety of journalism in Africa. The forum will examine business models for independent media, newsroom resilience, and the regulatory environment shaping press freedom across the region.
Locally, the conference has also amplified long-standing debates around media regulation in Zambia. Journalists and media bodies have used the global spotlight to push back against proposed statutory controls, with the Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia (MSCZ) urging the government to withdraw a contentious journalism bill they argue undermines independent self-regulation.
Stakeholders maintain that any legislative framework perceived to tighten state control risks eroding democratic gains and weakening public trust in the media.
The convergence of these developments places Zambia at the center of a broader global conversation not only about the future of journalism in the digital age, but also about the political and policy environments required to sustain genuine press freedom.
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