Every year, 3 May is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, namely to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. This day was proclaimed World Press Freedom Day at the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991.

Throughout the world, 3 May now serves as an occasion to inform the pubic of violations of press freedom a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which coordinates activities each year on 3 May, World Press Freedom Day is:

  1. A day of action to encourage and develop initiatives in favor of the freedom of the press
  2. A day to assess the state of press freedom worldwide
  3. A day to remind governments to respect their commitments to press freedom
  4. A day to alert the public and to increase awareness of the importance of freedom of the press
  5. A day for reflection to encourage debate among media professionals on the issues of press freedom and professional ethics
  6. A day of remembrance for journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession
  7. A day of support for media which fall victim to any measures which restrain, or seek to abolish, freedom of the press

Press freedom is a cornerstone of human rights and a guarantee of other freedoms. It encourages transparency and good governance and it ensures that society enjoys the rule of true justice. Freedom of the press is a bridge of understanding and knowledge. It is essential for the exchange of ideas between nations and cultures which is a condition for true understanding and lasting cooperation.

Although World Press Freedom Day has only been celebrated since 1993, it has much deeper roots in the United Nations: Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights states: Everyone has the fight to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

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of the World Press Freedom Day (3 May 2010)
Location: Brisbane, Australia (Asia Pacific)
Theme: Freedom of Information: The Right to Know

Download the {phocadownload view=file|id=15|text=Zanzibar Declaration of Eastern and Southern Africa Conference on Freedom of Information: The Right to Know