World Press Freedom Day
3 May acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a story.
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. World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth 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.
At the core of UNESCO's mandate is freedom of the press and freedom of expression. UNESCO believes that these freedoms allow for mutual understanding to build a sustainable peace. It serves as an occasion to inform citizens 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.
Forum: World Press Freedom Day 2020;
May 3rd is a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favor of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide. For UNESCO, civic responsibility and the guaranteeing of access to information means taking care of quality information. Foster habits that protect the responsible flow of data in the digital world. Pay attention to the content that each person receives and replicates from their mobile phones, in the form of audios, text chains or apparent journalistic news. Stay calm in the face of information bombing and be cautious - only share content that is verified by reliable sources of information. And above all, raise awareness.
Concept Note: WPFD2020 Concept note.
Theme : Journalism without fear.
United Nations Secretary-General Message on World Press Freedom Day 2020, May 3.
Journalists and media workers are crucial to helping us make informed decisions. As the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic, those decisions can make the difference between life and death.
On World Press Freedom Day, we call on governments -- and others -- to guarantee that journalists can do their jobs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
As the pandemic spreads, it has also given rise to a second pandemic of misinformation, from harmful health advice to wild conspiracy theories.
The press provides the antidote: verified, scientific, fact-based news and analysis.
But since the pandemic began, many journalists are being subjected to increased restrictions and punishments simply for doing their jobs.
Temporary constraints on freedom of movement are essential to beat COVID-19. But they must not be abused as an excuse to crack down on journalists’ ability to do their work.
Today, we thank the media for providing facts and analysis; for holding leaders – in every sector – accountable; and for speaking truth to power.
We particularly recognize those who are playing a life-saving role reporting on public health.
And we call on governments to protect media workers, and to strengthen and maintain press freedom, which is essential for a future of peace, justice and human rights for all.
António Guterres
United Nations General Assembly President's Message on World Press Freedom Day 2020, May 3
The World Press Freedom Day, proclaimed in 1993 by the United Nations, was inspired by the efforts of African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration, calling for media pluralism and independence.
Since then, celebrating the World Press Freedom Day marks our recognition of journalists and media professionals around the globe, whose work has contributed to exposing injustice and hardship experienced by those whose voices are often silenced or threatened.
We must continue to defend a free world press.
The crucial role of journalism is even more relevant in the unprecedented wake of COVID-19, when our very lives depend on a balanced perspective of unbiased information, constructive public debates and credible accountability.
The coronavirus pandemic has given new rise to flows of misinformation, as well as politically and commercially-biased news, amplifying threats to press freedoms around the world. Yet, it is only a well-informed public that can be best equipped to tackle issues that matter most. We are still struggling to get it right.
Threats against journalists and media workers are not new phenomena. Their dignity, and the integrity of their work are still under attack in too many places around the world. Female journalists face a double burden: being attacked as journalists, and as women. We must stand with them in solidarity.
Similarly, when publications are censored, fined, and suspended – we must voice that this undermines the foundations of freedom of opinion and expression, which are enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
I want to thank all journalists who put their lives and freedoms on the line to defend the idea of free speech and expression. Let me also pay tribute to all those who have lost their lives as a result of their journalistic endeavours.
There is great work to be done. We have no room for either cynicism or apathy. We should strive together, to deliver for all.
Tijjani Muhammad-Bande
Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2020, May 3.
At a time when we are mired in worry and uncertainty because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, free information is essential to helping us face, understand, think about and overcome this crisis. First, we must consider the vital importance of information in this situation: informing the public means giving everyone the means of combatting the illness by adopting appropriate practices. This is why the Organization has teamed up with the rest of the United Nations family to fight the “infodemic” of rumours and disinformation which is exacerbating the pandemic and putting lives at risk. To help put an end to the problem, we have joined forces to promote two major social-media campaigns, Together for Facts, Science and Solidarity and Don’t Go Viral. To bolster the effectiveness of these initiatives, UNESCO has also created a COVID19 resource centre for the media. This online platform aims to help journalists track false information regarding the pandemic and report on the crisis reliably and effectively, as encouraged by the theme of World Press Freedom Day 2020, “journalism without fear or favour”. This theme is a timely celebration of the work of those who stand up for freedom of information and for an independent press which examines and states the facts.
Too often, we see interference with freedom of the press. Whether this interference involves political, ideological or economic control, defamatory attacks intended to discredit their target, or harassment, too often, it aims to silence journalists - particularly, women journalists. Unfortunately, the extraordinary nature of our present circumstances is aggravating this pressure on journalists. The ongoing crisis is also increasing economic uncertainty for journalists. For example, at the very moment that the transition to digital technology is picking up speed, advertising revenue, on which many publications depend, is decreasing or even plummeting. Eventually, newspapers could thus be forced to reduce or cease operation, depriving communities of a different perspective on the world, of a focus necessary to the diversity of opinion. In a world as profoundly interdependent as this crisis has shown ours to be, every threat to or attack on the diversity of the press, the freedom of the press and the safety of journalists concerns us all. This is why the United Nations system of organizations, together with new coalitions formed by media, governments, and actors from the spheres of law, academia and civil society worldwide, is supporting journalists and their fight for independence and the truth. Today, I wish to call for a redoubling of these efforts. At this crucial moment and for our future, we need a free press, and journalists need to be able to count on all of us.
PRESS CONFERENCE: Frequently Asked Questions.
UNESCO and the Netherlands had planned to hold the World Press Freedom Conference (WPFC) from 22 to 24 April in The Hague. However, because of the COVID-19 crisis the conference has been postponed and will now take place from 18 to 20 October. It will be a joint celebration of World Press Freedom Day (3 May) and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (2 November). World Press Freedom Conference 2020 has been postponed over uncertainties surrounding travel.. The organizers of the conference are taking this decision to guarantee the health of everyone involved and ensure a high level of attendance and the quality of the programme.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
You can get in touch with the liaison officer for your session or use the general email address wpfc2020@minbuza.nl
KEY MESSAGES:
· Support independent journalism so that media workers can report without fear or favour. Newsrooms should be free to make independent editorial decisions that favour public interest and preserve accountability.
· A free and independent press is essential at all times, but is particularly important during a health crisis such as the one we are currently experiencing. At a time when many seek information primarily online, the role of professional journalists, whom are trained to help sort through the flow and provide necessary guidance, is vital.
· No crisis can be resolved without accurate and reliable information. At all levels, from governments to individuals, the decisions we make can be a matter of life and death and must be based on facts and science.
· It is only through joint multilateral coordination that these crucial issues can successfully be addressed, and we are deeply committed to this global effort.
· It is also important to help the media and journalists report on the crisis effectively and safely, and to promote critical thinking to limit the spread of rumors and misinformation.
· On World Press Freedom Day, on 3 May, UNESCO calls on governments, media and civil society to join us in a global online movement to draw the world's attention to these issues which are essential to the survival of our democracies. Together, we will ensure that our response to the crisis is effective. This unprecedented health crisis has the potential to rebuild citizens' trust in the media.
CAMPAIGNS:
- World Press Freedom Day 2020, global media campaign: On World Press Freedom Day, we need your support to defend a free and independent press.
Join UNESCO's campaign and help us make noise about this campaign by:
Symbolically changing your name/logo with the FACTS font specifically created for this campaign – starting April 30
Publishing the campaign key visuals in your printed and digital newspapers on 3 May
Sharing the social media posts related to the campaign on your social media pages and using the hashtag #WorldPressFreedomDay
SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram #JournalismUnfiltered.
Support free and independent journalism. Media workers should report without fear. We need them more than ever. #WorldPressFreedomDay #PressFreedom #Covid19
Editorial independence puts public interest first. It puts your health first. It holds the powerful accountable. It's in all our favour #WorldPressFreedomDay #PressFreedom #Covid19
A free and independent press is always essential. In crises such as the current pandemic, reliable information saves lives #WorldPressFreedomDay #PressFreedom #Covid19
Facts, rumours, bogus remedies, news figures every hour. Who’s going to help you make sense of all this information? Journalists, that’s who. #WorldPressFreedomDay #PressFreedom #Covid19
The cure to any crisis relies on accurate and reliable information. Trust credible journalism facts. Trust verified evidence #WorldPressFreedomDay #PressFreedom #Covid19
Journalists risk their safety to report on the pandemic and bring us the facts. Disproportionate restrictions to press freedom limit our access to information. Stop arrests, persecution and harassment of journalists #WorldPressFreedomDay
Stand up for journalists! A free press that provides facts and promotes critical thinking is our strongest bulwark against the ‘disinfodemic’ #WorldPressFreedomDay #Covid19
The best of the press: Journalists reporting professionally from the frontline - without fear or favour. In the current crisis, their work saves lives. Trust in journalism #PressFreedom