World Press Freedom Day: Target Peace explores reporting in a brave new world

Seasoned journalists from at least six countries in the world have brainstormed on ways to "Report in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media". 

They had the conversation Friday, April 24, 2026, in an online activity organised by Target Peace commemorating World Press Freedom Day 9 days before the annual May 3 rendezvous under the theme : "Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights"

Reports states that 24 journalists had been killed, including Ahmed Abu Hussein, a Palestinian photojournalist who was shot by Israeli troops as he was covering a protest in Gaza, wearing a vest clearly marked “PRESS”, triggered an intense intellectual conversation. 

Keynote Speaker of the Target Peace WPFD event and Publisher of Africa Briefing Jonathan Offei Ansah frowned at unhealthy practices robbing the noble profession of its integrity and credibility. 

The guest lecturer Eric Chinje invited the young like the old professionals to embrace New technologies but never allow AI to Control them. 

Quite a protective gear that clearly indicates members of the press should afford extra protection  to avoid being made targets Davies Desmond and Valerie Njoka, minimised discussions that evolved around imprisonments, which could suggest shocking statistics. 

Ojo Adebajo strongly recommended that AI be decolonized such that Africa can make and use their data. A suggestion applauded by all present as no journalist wants to be behind bars, talk less of constantly living under threat of incarceration, for simply doing her or his job. 

The tech journalist Fame Bunyui Ayiseh proposed efficient practical ways of practising journalism without fear or favour. 

Speaking at the Target Peace event, Samuel Enie Mbua regretted the fact free media is only regarded from the perspective of administrative burden and censorship. 

He indulged media practitioners to examine their roles and contributions in fostering media freedom, matter how little that responsibility may be. 

Despite the horror of what happened in Kabul, and ever-tightening censorship all over the globe, out of scale journalists from Cameroon, Ghana, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and the UK robbed minds on professional and protective ways to continue to pick up their gear, go out, and cover the important stories even if it means they themselves could become targets. 

On her part, the host/ founder of Target Peace, Amy Banda said, “There is nothing as powerful as intellectual honesty and soundness. This is something to be both celebrated and protected on this World Press Freedom Day”,

“There is no peace without human rights. No peace without development. No peace without security. And none of those exist without a free press. Because information is a public good. Because a free press is the backbone of justice. Because no prison can silence the truth.” 

She added that a free press means a safe world. “Today, we report without fear or favour. Today, we defend the truth and protect the journalist.” Amy Banda said.

It should be noted that press freedom is the foundation of human rights, development, and security.

“We speak truth to power. We affirm that no prison can silence the truth, and without press freedom there is no democracy”,

“Information is a public good. A free press is the backbone of justice. We commit, as one body, to report without fear or favour.” Amy Banda said.

Contact KNews management on whtapp for news coverage, support, special-write-ups and advertisement (+237) 651252410