WPFD Roundtable & RMNP Sadiq Press Freedom Cash Awards Ceremony to be Held on May 3
Discussion on shrinking space for independent journalism; RMNP Annual Report to be unveiled
A roundtable discussion in connection with World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) and the RMNP Sadiq Press Freedom Award Presentation Ceremony will be held at 3:00 PM on May 3, 2026, at Punjab College, Ahmedpur East.
The event is being organized by Rural Media Network Pakistan in collaboration with Ahmedpur Union of Journalists (AUJW) and Digital Daily Nawa-I-AhmedpurSharqia.
President RMNP, Ehsan Ahmed Sehar, will preside over the roundtable. Participants including presidents of various press clubs, academics, and regional political leaders are expected to attend and share their perspectives.
The discussion will focus on the theme “Shrinking Space for Independent Journalism in Pakistan” and the sub-theme “Economic Pressures, Changing Media Models, and the Wider Media Crisis.” Key challenges facing independent journalism and evolving media dynamics will be deliberated in detail.
On this occasion, the RMNP Annual Press Freedom Report will also be presented, highlighting major developments, challenges, and trends related to press freedom.
Two RMNP Sadiq Press Freedom cash awards will be presented during the ceremony. One award will be conferred posthumously to honor a deceased journalist, while the other will be awarded to a working journalist in recognition of professional excellence and commitment to press freedom.
In addition, the Mazhar Rasheed Best Community Reporting Award 2026 will be presented to a working journalist on behalf of Digital Daily Nawa-i-AhmedpurSharqia and Ahmedpur Union of Journalists (AUJW).
It was further noted that this marks the 25th consecutive observance of World Press Freedom Day activities under the initiative launched on May 3, 2002, in Mubarakpur by Ehsan Ahmed Sehar.
Rural Media Network Pakistan is coordinating participants and research activities, while AUJW and Digital Daily Nawa-i-AhmedpurSharqia are providing logistical and organizational support for the successful conduct of the event
