World Press Freedom Day

World Press Freedom Day is an annual worldwide celebration on May 3. It is celebrated to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and reminds the government of their duty to respect and promote the rights to freedom of expression reinforced under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The day also marked the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of the freedom of press principles arranged together by an African Newspaper Journalist in Windhoek in 1991. Read the article below to learn more about World Press Freedom Day History, World Press Freedom Day Significance, and when press freedom day is celebrated.

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When Press Freedom Day Is Celebrated?

Press Freedom Day Is Celebrated on May 3.

World Press Freedom Day History

The United State General Assembly declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day 1993. The declaration came after the suggestions made at the 26th General Session of Conference of UNESCO in 1991. The declaration came also in consequence of the Windhoek Declaration 1991, a statement which was released by an African Journalist about World Press Freedom Day, presented at a seminar held by UNESCO, which is held on May 3.

World Press Freedom Day Origin and Purpose

The United Nations General Assembly declared World Press Freedom day in December 1993, following the suggestions of the UNESCO General Conference. Since then, May 3, Windhoek Declaration Anniversary, has been celebrated as World Press Freedom Day throughout the world.

The day is celebrated to inform citizens of the violations of their freedom. The day reminds us that publications and social media are inspected, fined, and suspended while journalists, editors, and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained, and even murdered.

May 3 is observed as a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favor of World Press Freedom Day and to examine the state of press freedom throughout the world.

This day reminds the government of the need to encourage and respect their commitments to press freedom and is also a day of reflections among professionals about the issues of press freedom and professional ethics. World Press Freedom Day is a day to assist media that are targets of their self-restraint or put an end to press freedom. It is a day to remember those journalists who have lost their lives in the implementation of their profession. 

World Press Freedom Day Significance

May 3 serves as a reminder to the Government of the need to respect their commitment to World Press Freedom Day and is also a day of consideration among media professionals about problems of press freedom and professional ethics. World Press Freedom is also celebrated to support the media which are targets for restraining or abolition of World Press Freedom Day.  It is also a day to remember those journalists who lost their lives in pursuit of their stories.

May 3 also marks the anniversary celebration of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press rules put together by the Africa Newspaper Journalist in Windhoek in 1991.

World Press Freedom Day Theme

World Press Freedom Day 2021 theme was “Information As A Public Good”. The theme enthralled on the significance of disseminating information as a public good and exploring what can be done in the production, distribution, and reception of content to reinforce journalism, and to enhance transparency and empowerment while leaving no one behind. The theme was imperative to all countries across the world. It observes the changing communication system that is affecting human rights, human health, democracies, and sustainable development. 

To highlight the importance of information with a social networking website, World Press Freedom Day focuses on the following three important principles:

• Undertake the steps to assure the economic feasibility of online media.

• The procedure of ensuring clarity of internet companies.

• Enhance media and information Literacy ability that enable people to perceive and value, as well as defend and demand, journalism as a significant part of information as a public good.

World Press Freedom Day Celebration

World Press Freedom Day celebrations take place by arranging several cultural events to determine the importance of World Press Freedom Day.

World Press Freedom Day initiatives of several nations are coordinated by UNESCO and most of the time it acts as an organizing partner to enhance the freedom of expression.

On World Press Freedom Day, UNESCO distributes awards to deserving organizations, individuals, or institutions that have made remarkable contributions in the promotion and protection of press freedom throughout the world.

World Press Freedom Day in India is celebrated to greet the reporters who troubled their lives in providing information or sometimes lost their lives in their work itself.

Various ministers, government officers, ministers participated while organizing several events like art exhibitions, honored awards for their journalists, who have risked their lives on duty, etc on this occasion in India.