"On this World Press Freedom Day, I urge all governments, politicians, businessmen and citizens to nurture and protect free and independent media. Without this essential right, one is less free and disempowered. With this right, we can work together for a world of dignity and opportunity for all." Ban Ki-moon - Secretary General of the United Nations
The 3 May 2016 is World Press Freedom Day dedicated to the topic:
Access to information and fundamental freedoms - This is your right!
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of the UNESCO General Conference. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration is celebrated worldwide as 'World Press Freedom Day'. It is an occasion to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom; to review the condition of the free press 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 line of duty.
World Press Freedom Day coincides with three important events in 2016:
- the 250th anniversary of the world's first press freedom law, currently in force in Sweden and Finland
- the 25th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration on the principles of press freedom.
- 2016 is the first year of a 15-year cycle of the New Sustainable Development Goals.
This year, World Press Freedom Day focuses on three different aspects:
- freedom of information as a fundamental freedom and a human right
- the protection of press freedom from the excesses of censorship and control
- the security guarantee for online and offline journalism.
The annual UNESCO Prize for Freedom of the Press, named after Guillermo Canowas presented on 3 May 2016 at a ceremony in Helsinki, Finland, and the winner is Khadija Ismayilovaan investigative journalist from Azerbaijan.
For more on the subject read the concept notes UNESCO
Dr. Carmelo Chines
Direttore responsabile
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