The United Nations(UN)’s World Press Freedom Day is annually observed across the globe on 3rd May. The day is dedicated to the freedom of the press and highlights the need for the government and people to respect their commitment to press freedom.
The day focuses on the challenges and issues faced by journalists and other media professionals.
The theme of World Press Freedom Day 2021 is “Information as a Public Good”.
The 2021 theme highlights the importance of appreciating information as a public good and explore ways to strengthen journalism.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution in December 1993 and proclaimed the 3rd May of every year as World Press Freedom Day.
ii.The celebration of the day was recommended by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO).
Why 3rd May?
3rd May marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek.
World Press Freedom Day 2021:
The World Press Freedom Day 2021 highlights 3 key topics:
- Steps to ensure the economic viability of news media
- Methods to ensure the transparency of Internet companies
- Enhanced Media and Information Literacy (MIL) capacities that enable people to recognize and value, as well as defend and demand, journalism as a vital part of information as a public good.
Global Conference:
i.The global conference on world press freedom day has been organised since 1993.
ii.The conference provides an opportunity to the journalists, civil society representatives, national authorities and general public to discuss the issues to press freedom and the safety of journalists and to find the solution to these issues.
iii.The 2021 global conference was hosted by UNESCO and the Government of Namibia from 29th April to 3rd May 2021 in Windhoek.
UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize:
i.Maria Ressa, Investigative journalist and media executive from the Philippines has been named the winner of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2021.
ii.The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize is an annual prize established in 1997 to honour a person, organisation or institution which made an outstanding contribution to the defence and promotion of press freedom.
iii.The award is annually presented at the World Press Freedom Day Global Conference.
