Media Freedom Festival 2026
For ten years the Media Freedom Festival has been a cornerstone of South Africa’s information ecosystem — a platform for dialogue, collaboration and advocacy that brings together policymakers, journalists, academics, civil society and the public. As South Africa prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections, this year’s festival confronts the pressing challenges of mis- and disinformation and accountability head-on.
Our Partners
The Media Freedom Festival 2026 is made possible with the support of sixteen partner organisations working for media freedom, information integrity and accountability.
Programme
The programme is being finalised — session details may still change.
Day 1 Wednesday 14 October
Scroll and Poll — Unpacking online harms in election season
Online harms intensify when an election is called. From everyday harassment, hate speech and disinformation to coordinated campaigns targeting journalists and candidates — what do online harms look like in practice, who bears the brunt of them, and what should accountability from platforms, regulators and political actors look like when democracy itself is on the line?
Lightning Talks — Quickfire inputs on key issues
Leading experts take four minutes each to dig into the issues shaping our media and our democracy.
Masterclass Workshop
A hands-on masterclass with disinformation researcher Dr Christopher Nehring.
Reporter’s Notebook
The story behind the story, with Siyabonga Goni of Daily Maverick.
Rate the Hate — Exploring the legal boundaries of freedom of expression
A deep dive into the legal dimensions of freedom of expression — the ‘Rate the Hate’ challenge confronts the moral dilemmas of free speech and invites thought-provoking discussion.
Day 2 Thursday 15 October
Moxii Africa × ALT — Handbooks Launch
Launching a new set of practical handbooks for the sector.
From the EU to South Africa — Lessons from the DSA and DMA
The launch of a new research study by Nicole Fritz and Justine Limpitlaw on the EU’s Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act — and what their design and early implementation mean for South Africa’s own path to platform accountability. The launch is followed by a panel unpacking the findings.
Lightning Talks — Quickfire inputs on key issues
Rapid-fire perspectives from across the information integrity community.
Masterclass — Forensic investigation of online harms
Led by Graphika, this hands-on masterclass goes inside the world of digital forensics: how investigators trace, map and expose disinformation networks, inauthentic behaviour and manipulation campaigns as they unfold online — with a focus on elections.
Reporter’s Notebook
The story behind the story, with photojournalist James Oatway.
Disinformation Quiz Night
Think you can spot fake news? Put your media literacy to the test in a fast-paced, interactive quiz night hosted by Quiz Nights SA — because an informed public is a democracy’s best defence against disinformation.
Day 3 Friday 16 October
News Creators vs Legacy Media
A conversation across the old and new frontlines of journalism, organised with the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Lightning Talks — Quickfire inputs on key issues
Four-minute inputs from leading voices, including speakers from AIP, the SOS Coalition and the University of Johannesburg.
Reporter’s Notebook
The story behind the story, with Qaanitah Hunter of the Debrief Network.
Reporters Slam
Back for a second year, in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung: journalists take the stage for a seven-minute live performance revealing the story behind their reporting — journalism meets storytelling, and the audience decides the winner.
Our Speakers
Speakers are confirming daily — more than fifty will take the stage across the three days. Check back as the line-up grows.
Nicole Fritz
Justine Limpitlaw
Naushad Khan
Uyanda Siyotula
Ashley Fualefeh
Be part of the 10th Media Freedom Festival
14–16 October 2026 · Goethe-Institut, Johannesburg. Seats are limited — secure yours today.
Questions or partnership enquiries: events@mma.org.za
