Machweo nyuma ya majengo.

World Press Freedom Day 2019

Every 3 May, World Press Freedom Day serves to commemorate the fundamental principles of press freedom. It is also an opportunity to evaluate press freedom around the world, raise awareness about attacks against media and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. The Day also encourages a reflection among media professionals about issues of media independence, freedom and pluralism.

This year, by focusing on the theme Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation” World Press Freedom Day underlines that – more than ever – free, independent and professional journalism is essential in democracies, by providing citizens with verified and reliable sources of information to make decisions, notably during elections.

We invite you to join the World Press Freedom Day celebration globally, for example by carrying out the following two actions:

1) Dedicate a special editorial coverage on this year’s focus of World Press Freedom Day. You could publish front-page stories, articles, op-eds, interviews, or create a dedicated blog on your digital platform. We also encourage you to organize commemorative activities on press freedom in your city. Your contribution will ensure that media is at the heart of highlighting the importance of press freedom and the role of journalism for democracy. Please do keep us informed on how your media institution marks this important day, by alerting us via the email address: wpfd@unesco.org

2) Join our campaign ‘Defend Journalism’ by using our campaign materials including the suite of specially-crafted GIFs and displaying web banners on your digital platforms and channels, using the hashtags: #WorldPressFreedomDay and #PressFreedom. You can find all these materials on a dedicated web page.*

The World Press Freedom Day global conference will take place from 1 to 3 May in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. UNESCO, the Government of Ethiopia and the African Union Commission are jointly organizing the event. The award ceremony of the 2019 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize Laureate will take place on 2 May. National events will be organized around the world, and media institutions are warmly invited to join these.