World Press Freedom Day, May 3

World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Thousands of newspapers worldwide will commemorate World Press Freedom Day on Thursday, 3 May, by publishing editorial and advertising materials on press freedom themes from the World Association of Newspapers. There is still time to join them.
    
WAN has made available essays, opinion pieces, interviews, infographics, editorial cartoons, photographs, advertisements and more for publication on 3 May, and has just added a video spot for web sites and broadcasters. The materials are available, free of charge, at www.worldpressfreedomday.org.

The package, which focuses on the theme, "Press Under Surveillance," is available in English, French, Spanish, German and Russian.

The package also includes a 3 May Manifesto which calls on the world’s governments to take specific measures to protect freedom of the press in the face of widespread tightening of anti-terrorism measures.

World Press Freedom Day marks the anniversary of the 1991 Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of principles calling for a free, independent and pluralistic media throughout the world. The Declaration affirms that a free press is essential to the existence of democracy and a fundamental human goal.

It has become a day to raise awareness of press freedom problems worldwide, and to recognise the sacrifices that independent media and journalists make to keep their societies informed.

WAN is encouraging newspapers everywhere to publish as much of the materials as possible. Download the WAN materials from www.worldpressfreedomday.org.

The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 18,000 newspapers; its membership includes 76 national newspaper associations, newspaper companies and individual newspaper executives in 102 countries, 12 news agencies and 10 regional and world-wide press groups.