‘World Press Freedom Day’ is observed annually on May 3 to raise awareness of the importance of press freedom and the challenges that journalists face around the world. The day was established in 1993 by the United Nations General Assembly on the advice of the UNESCO General Conference.
THEME
Each year, a different subject for World Press Freedom Day is chosen to highlight a certain aspect of press freedom. ‘Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for All Other Human Rights’ is the topic for 2023.
HISTORY
World Press Freedom Day was first conceived when a group of African journalists gathered in Namibia for a UNESCO meeting on promoting an independent and pluralistic press. They suggested designating May 3 as a worldwide holiday honouring and defending press freedom.
The concept was later accepted by the UNESCO General Conference in 1993, and the UN General Assembly declared that May 3 would become the annual date for ‘World Press Freedom Day’. Since then, the day has been observed annually to raise awareness of the importance of press freedom and the need to maintain the independence of the media.
SIGNIFICANCE
The goal of ‘World Press Freedom Day’ is to increase public understanding of the importance of press freedom, the need to protect journalists’ rights, and the importance of promoting independent, free media.
It underlines the importance of protecting journalists and ensuring that they can publish news without fear of punishment, while also serving as a reminder of the important role that journalists play in democracies and the importance of defending the right to knowledge and freedom of expression.
The importance of the right to free speech, which is a fundamental human right proclaimed in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is brought to light by ‘World Press Freedom Day’. Free and independent media are essential to promote transparency and accountability in the government and other institutions.
The occasion serves as a reminder of the critical role that journalists play in holding the powerful accountable and ensuring that the general public has access to accurate and impartial information.