Every year on May 3rd, the world celebrates World Press Freedom Day. This day serves as a critical reminder of the fundamental principles of press freedom and its crucial role in a healthy democracy.
A free press acts as a vital watchdog, holding powerful individuals and institutions accountable. It allows for the free flow of information, fosters public awareness, and promotes critical thinking. In a world grappling with misinformation and disinformation, a free press is essential for ensuring accurate and reliable information reaches the public.
Al Jazeera journalists mark World Press Freedom Day by telling us what it means to them.#JournalismIsNotACrime #DemandPressFreedom pic.twitter.com/3h7CYJO6pO
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) May 3, 2024
“Freedom of the press is the mortar that binds together the bricks of democracy — and it is also the open window embedded in those bricks.” - Shashi Tharoor.
— George Maringa (@georgemaringa_) May 3, 2024
Happy World Press Freedom Day!#WPFD2024 pic.twitter.com/uFdfc1VFVr
Press Freedom Day 2024: History
Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, World Press Freedom Day marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles adopted by African journalists in 1991. This declaration emphasised the importance of a free and independent press in promoting democracy, development, and human rights.
The United Nations mentions: “World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.”
Press Freedom Day 2024: Significance
World Press Freedom Day serves as an important reminder of freedom of expression in today’s world. Here is how this day is a significant event:
- Highlighting Press Freedom: It serves as a global reminder of the fundamental importance of a free press in a democratic society.
- Public Access to Information: It emphasises the right of the public to access information without censorship or restriction.
- Government Accountability: It stresses the role of a free press in holding governments accountable and ensuring transparency.
Press Freedom Day 2024: Activities and Celebrations Around the World?
Press Freedom Day 2024 will see a range of activities and celebrations happening globally. Here are some events on this significant day:
| Country | Title of Event | Dates | Description | Location |
| Australia | International Journalism Film Festival | 6th of May, at 6pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time, time zone in Sydney) | This festival is a collaboration between Canada-based grassroots advocacy group Ink-stained Wretches and students-faculty at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. Visit the website for details. | Macquarie University, 10 Hadenfeld Ave, Macquarie Park NSW 2109, Sydney, Australia |
| Bangladesh | Bangladesh Observation on World Press Freedom Day 2024 | 4 May 2024, 10:00-14:00 (Time zone +6) | Bangladesh will mark World Press Freedom Day 2024 at the community radio station level. This observance will take place on May 3rd, 2024, across 20 rural areas in Bangladesh, supported by the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC). | Dhaka |
| Bangladesh | South Asia celebration of World Press Freedom Day 2024 | 2 May 2024, 11.00 am -16.00pm (Bangladesh GMT 6+) | Organize two half-day panel discussions on 2 May 2024 to commemorate World Press Freedom Day. The event will include participation from Government Officials, relevant ministers, embassies, journalists, media representatives, and experts in the field. | Meghomala Auditorium, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), MIDAS Centre (Level-5), House-5, Road-16 (New) 27(Old), Dhanmondi, Dhaka, 1209 |
| Botswana | Regional Event - World Press Freedom Day 2024 | 03/04-05-2024, 08:30 - 19:30 (GMT+2) | UNESCO with MISA are organising the event with the Gov of BW and MALW,NM,ZM, ZIM, IO such as SADC, EUDEL and media stakeholders from the region. The event sees the launch of 2 Reports: the State of Press Freedom in Southern Africa & Media Viability in Southern Africa. | University of Botswana Conference Centre, Gaborone, Botswana |
| Brazil | Promoting information integrity: combating disinformation, hate speech and threats to public institutions online | 30 April 2024 (GMT-3) | This G20 Side Event will focus on the current stage of global discussions on conceptualization, as well as possible approaches to promoting information integrity and trust in the digital environment. It will benefit of several multilateral debates taking place currently and in recent months, such as the UNESCO’s Internet for Trust Initiative, the UN Global Digital Compact consultations the UN Code of Conduct on Information Integrity consultations, OECD debates on mis/disinformation, to mention just a few. | Digital Economy Working Group of the G20, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Cambodia | World Press Freedom Day 2024 – Cambodia | 02-05-2024, 8:00 - 12:00 (UTC+7) | Cambodia grapples with environmental challenges like deforestation and climate risks. Efforts are needed for effective policies and media plays a crucial role in informing the public. The 31st World Press Freedom Day, celebrated in Cambodia, to promote a common understanding and action plan among media stakeholders on their role to address the triple planetary crisis - climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution, and enhance Cambodia’s climate resilience. | Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
| Cambodia | Youth Dialogue on the Role of Journalism in Reporting on Climate Change | 28-05-2024, 8:00 - 12:00 (UTC+7) | This event aims to bring together at least 150 university students of relevant faculties and disciplines to discuss and raise awareness on the role of journalism in responding to the environmental crisis. | Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center, Royal University of Phnom Penh |
| Canada | International Journalism Film Festival (Canada) | 28-04-2024, 13:00 - 16:00 (UTC-4) | This festival is a collaboration between Canada-based grassroots advocacy group Ink-stained Wretches and | |
| Kingdom of Eswatini - Swaziland | World Press Freedom Day 2024 in Eswatini | 02/03-05-2024, 08-13 (Eswatini GMT +2) | Media Self-Regulation & Journalism Standards Roundtable/Workshop & Training. Goal: Promoting media self-regulation, enhancing journalists' digital media skills, upholding standards, fostering intergenerational ties. | Mbabane, Kingdom of Eswatini - Swaziland |
| Ethiopia | A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis | 4 April 2024 | Ethiopian Mass Media Action, Africa News Channel, ARMA multi media production, Amhara Region Journalists Association - Bahir Dar | |
| Ethiopia | World Press Freedom Day 2024- Ethiopia | 3 May 2024, 09:00 - 14:30 (GMT+3) | Discusses state of freedom of expression, media freedom, and journalist safety in Ethiopia. | Addis Ababa |
| Finland | Press Freedom Day seminar: Can polarization be stopped? | 3 May 2024, 9:00-11.30 (GMT+3) | Seminar on reducing social confrontation through journalism and political collaboration. | Finnish parliament annex, auditorium, Helsinki, Finland |
| France | Journée pour la liberté de la presse | 03/05/2024, 11:00 a.m. | To honor journalists Ghislaine Dupont, Claude Verlon, and Camille Lepage. | Place Ghislaine Dupont, Claude Verlon, Camille Lepage. Paris 2ème arrondissement |
| Gabon | Journalisme de solutions | 3 May 2024, 09:30 - 13:00 (GMT, Afrique Centrale) | Discussion on using information to ensure access to solutions-based journalism. | Apic Gabon, Libreville |
| Germany | Climate Voices: Reporting Africa's Climate Narrative | 3-4 May 2024 | Conference empowering journalists to shape climate perception through informed storytelling. | MiCT, Berlin (Hybrid) |
| Germany | Press freedom under pressure - the German situation | 03-05-2024, 12:00-14:00 (CEST) | Discussion on press freedom in Germany. | German Commission for UNESCO, Bonn, Germany (Hybrid) |
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