Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), a dynamic media advocacy human rights non-governmental organization is set to host a high-level dialogue on press freedom and disability inclusion at the RightsCon 2026 Summit scheduled for May 6, 2026, in Lusaka, Zambia.
The session, titled “Silenced Twice: Press Freedom and Disability Voices Under Threat in Africa,” will take place at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (Kenneth Kaunda Wing) and will examine the growing challenges of shrinking civic space, media freedom, and the marginalization of persons with disabilities across Africa.
The dialogue forms part of the global RightsCon summit convened by Access Now, bringing together stakeholders in journalism, law, disability advocacy, public policy, environmental governance, and public health.
Executive Director of HRRG and session host, Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, will facilitate the discussion.
He said the engagement is intended to draw attention to what rights advocates describe as “double marginalization,” where persons with disabilities face systemic exclusion from public life while also remaining underrepresented in media systems that shape democratic discourse.
“Press freedom and disability inclusion are deeply interconnected. When the media space shrinks, the voices of already marginalized groups are often the first to disappear,” he said.
Dr. Wemakor added that the session will explore practical ways to strengthen inclusive media ecosystems, protect freedom of expression, and expand equitable access to digital and civic spaces.
The discussion will also highlight the role of journalists, policymakers, civil society organizations and international institutions in safeguarding fundamental freedoms and amplifying underrepresented voices.
A panel of international experts will lead the conversation, including Dalitso Mvula of the Centre for Environment Justice in Lusaka, who focuses on climate governance and inclusive environmental advocacy; Michael Karanicolas, an Associate Professor of Law and Public Policy and a global expert on freedom of expression and digital governance; and Alina Radu, an award-winning investigative journalist and co-founder of Ziarul de Gardă in Moldova, recognized for her work in media independence and anti-corruption reporting.
Others include Elizabeth Zulu, a public health expert working on health equity and social determinants of vulnerable populations, and Joseph Mwanza, a disability rights advocate and Programs Officer at Disability Rights Watch, who will contribute perspectives on disability inclusion and rights-based advocacy.
The panel will further examine increasing threats to journalism across Africa, including harassment, intimidation, unlawful arrests and digital surveillance targeting journalists reporting on governance and human rights issues.
In Ghana, concerns about press safety have been amplified by incidents such as the 2019 killing of investigative journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale, alongside civil society reports highlighting continued attacks and intimidation against media practitioners.
Advocates warn that such developments, combined with inaccessible digital systems and weak inclusion policies, risk further silencing critical voices—particularly persons with disabilities who already face structural barriers to participation.
HRRG said the Lusaka dialogue is expected to contribute to global efforts aimed at strengthening press freedom, promoting inclusion, and enhancing democratic resilience in the digital age.
Participants are expected to propose actionable recommendations, including stronger legal protections for journalists, improved accessibility of media platforms, and more inclusive digital governance frameworks that ensure no group is left behind.
About HRRG
Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) is a frontline civil society organization committed to advancing human dignity, social justice, democratic accountability, and inclusive development in Ghana, across Africa, and globally.
For over a decade, HRRG has empowered women, children, youth, rural communities, and other marginalized groups to claim their rights, engage decision-makers, and participate meaningfully in governance processes.
Its work spans child protection and child labour, women’s rights and gender justice, land and environmental protection, climate justice, civic space protection, policy advocacy, access to justice for marginalized groups, investigative journalism, research and documentation, and capacity building for civil society actors, journalists, and community leaders.
HRRG has received several international recognitions, including the 5th UN Global Entreps Award for Best International Practice on Sustainability under its KTT Project, which has reached over 60,000 beneficiaries.
It has also been honoured with the Africa Peace Advocate Award (2023), recognition at the African Human Rights Defenders Shield Awards (2023), and placed fourth in the Africans Rising Activism Award – Movement of the Year (2020).
Other recognitions include the Honorary Award for Peace, Security and Education at the Africa Early Childhood Education Awards (2021), listing among Ghana’s 100 Most Impactful Changemakers (2024), and international features for its human rights work, including recognition by the World Bank for contributions to global research on equality and inclusion.
Beyond Ghana, HRRG convenes and supports over 500 civil society organizations through the Ghana Civil Society Organizations Platform on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has represented the country at major global and continental forums, including the United Nations High-Level Political Forum and the Pan-African Human Rights and Social Justice Conference.
Source: HRRG
