3 May: World Press Freedom Day

May 3 is celebrated as World Press Freedom Day every year to celebrate fundamental principles of press freedom as well as to evaluate freedom of press around the world. It serves as occasion to defend media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who died while doing their profession.

2018 Theme

The theme for year 2018 is ‘Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law’. It highlights importance of enabling legal environment for press freedom and gives special attention to role of independent judiciary in ensuring legal guarantees for press freedom and prosecution of crimes against journalists. It also addresses role of media in sustainable development, especially during elections as watchdog fostering transparency, accountability and rule of law. It also explore legislative gaps with regard to freedom of expression and information online, and risks of regulating online speech

World Press Freedom Day

World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in December 1993, following the recommendation adopted at 26th Session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991. This recommendation was a response to a call given by African journalists who in 1991 produced landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence. Since then 3 May, is observed as anniversary of Declaration of Windhoek and is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day. Observance of day provides opportunity to celebrate fundamental principles of press freedom; defend media from attacks on their independence; assess state of press freedom throughout world and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in line of duty.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018