World Press Freedom Day

The international day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the 26th Session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991. This in turn was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day. It is an opportunity to:

celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom;

assess the state of press freedom throughout the world;

defend the media from attacks on their independence;

pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Every year, 3 May is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; 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.

Over 100 national celebrations take place each year to commemorate this Day. UNESCO leads the worldwide celebration by identifying the global thematic and organizing the main event in different parts of world every year.

Source: un.org | unesco.org

A free press is not a privilege but an organic necessity in a great society.

Walter Lippmann, American journalist

A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in time a people as base as itself.

Joseph Pulitzer

The public have an insatiable curiosity to know everything. Except what is worth knowing. Journalism, conscious of this, and having tradesman-like habits, supplies their demands.

Oscar Wilde

Be passionate about what you write, believe in your ability to convey timeless ideas, and let no one tell you what you’re capable of.

Christina Westover

One of the shrewdest ways for human predators to conquer their stronger victims is to steadily convince them with propaganda that they’re still free.

N.A. Scott American