World Press Freedom Day:
The Rights and The Wrongs
Historically and traditionally, democracy’s four pillars have been the Executive, legislative, judiciary, and the press or media. In recent years, social media has also come to the scene largely.
The UN, tomorrow, May 3, marks World Press Freedom Day stating that it is a day dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis. According to the UN, awareness of all aspects of the global environmental crisis and its consequences essential to build democratic societies and journalistic work is indispensable for this purpose.
Accordingly, the UN identifies that it requires a comprehensive strategy that includes: Preventing and protecting against crimes committed against journalists; ensuring the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of scientific research, and access to key sources of information, in addition to combating dis-/misinformation through journalism; promoting the plurality, diversity, and viability of media; ensuring that the governance of digital platforms foster the transparency of technology companies, their accountability, due diligence, user empowerment, and content moderation and curation based on international human rights’ standards; and promoting Media and Information Literacy programs to empowerment users with skills to engage and think critically in the digital environment.
Delving into the origins and the purpose of the day, the UN noted that World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference. Since then, May 3, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, which is considered a benchmark for ensuring Press freedom around the world, has been celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day. After 30 years, the historic connection made between the freedom to seek, impart and receive information and the public good remains as relevant as it was at the time of its signing.
May 3 , no doubts acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. 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 and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
