May 03: World Press Freedom day
World Press Freedom Day is observed on 3 May every year across the world. The theme of 2015 year is: Let Journalism Thrive! Towards better reporting, gender equality and media safety in the digital age.
Observing this day marks an opportunity to:
- Celebrate the fundamental principles to evaluate press freedom.
- Assess the state of freedom of press throughout the world.
- Defend the media from attacks on their independence.
- Pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
Background
- In December 1993, World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly (UNGA. It was proclaimed 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 the landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence.
- Since then 3 May, is observed as anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek and is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.
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Month: Current Affairs - May, 2015