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By Our Correspondent 

ASABA — The Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) has announced plans for its 2026 Annual Conference and 6th Lecture Series, bringing together media professionals, government officials, political leaders, lawmakers, security chiefs, academics, business leaders and other stakeholders to deliberate on the state of democracy and media responsibility in Nigeria.

The conference, scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at David’s Event Centre, GRA, Asaba, will commence at 11:00 a.m. prompt.

The event is themed: “Democracy Under Pressure: Electoral Integrity, Security Challenges and Media Accountability in Nigeria.”

In a joint statement announcing the conference, the Chairman of the 2026 Annual Conference and 6th Lecture Series Planning Committee, Dn. Chijioke Williams Ugbolue, and the Secretary, Comrade Josephine Omodior, said the theme was carefully chosen to stimulate informed and constructive discussion on issues considered critical to the strengthening of democratic governance in Nigeria.

According to the organisers, the conference will examine pressures confronting democratic institutions, the integrity and credibility of electoral processes, emerging security challenges and the evolving responsibilities of the media in an increasingly complex information environment.

They stressed that the media, particularly digital and online platforms, occupies a critical position in shaping public discourse, informing citizens, promoting accountability and providing platforms for competing perspectives.

The organisers, however, underscored the need for professionalism, accuracy, ethical journalism and responsible use of digital media.

They said the conference would also interrogate the relationship between electoral processes, security and media reporting, with particular attention to misinformation, disinformation, political communication, public trust and the safety and professional responsibilities of journalists.

The Planning Committee disclosed that preparations were already in top gear for what it described as one of the biggest gatherings of online publishers and journalists in Delta State.

Expected participants include top government officials, political leaders, lawmakers, politicians, academics, captains of industry, officers of the Nigerian Army and Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), other security agencies and representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The organisers said the broad range of participants was designed to ensure that the issues raised by the conference theme were examined from professional, political, academic, security and institutional perspectives.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, is expected to attend as the Special Guest of Honour, while a highly regarded professional and politician is scheduled to chair the occasion.

The Planning Committee also disclosed that a prominent academician had been selected and booked as the Distinguished Guest Lecturer for the 6th Annual Lecture.

The DOPF, a forum of online publishers and media practitioners, has continued to provide platforms for professional engagement on issues of public interest, including media responsibility, democratic governance, security and development.

The forum’s recent engagements have similarly focused on the role of responsible journalism in strengthening society and promoting peace.

The 2026 conference, the organisers said, would therefore go beyond being an annual gathering of media practitioners to serve as a major convergence of ideas, expertise and institutional perspectives at a critical period in Nigeria’s democratic development.

The Planning Committee expressed confidence that the conference would generate meaningful conversations capable of contributing to a better understanding of the challenges confronting democracy, electoral processes, national security and the media.

It also reaffirmed the importance of professional and accountable journalism in strengthening democratic institutions and promoting an informed citizenry.