United Nations (UN)’s World Press Freedom Day is annually observed across the globe on May 3 to raise awareness about the importance of a free and independent press.
- 3rd May 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day.
The theme of World Press Freedom Day 2023 is “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all other human rights”.
- The 2023 theme signifies the enabling element of freedom of expression to enjoy and protect all other human rights.
Background:
i. The observance of World Press Freedom Day on 3rd May was recommended by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during its 26th General Conference held in Paris, France, from 15th October to 7th November 1991.
ii. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in December 1993.
Why May 3?
The date May 3 was chosen to commemorate the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of press freedom principles put forth by African journalists, in 1991 in Windhoek, Namibia
Events 2023:
i. On World Press Freedom Day 2023, UNESCO will organize a special anniversary event at UN headquarters in New York, United States of America (USA).
ii. On 2nd May 2023, the UN Headquarters (New York, USA) hosted a full day of events in honour of World Press Freedom Day’s anniversary.
World Press Freedom Index 2023: India ranks 161
On 3rd May 2023, the 21st edition of the World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) was released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF – Reporters sans frontières), India’s ranking has slipped 11 positions from 2022, when it ranked 150, to 161st Rank out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom.
- In terms of press freedom, Norway is ranked 1st for the seventh consecutive year, followed by Ireland (2nd) and Denmark (3rd).
- The last 3 places are occupied solely by Asian countries: Vietnam (178th), China (179th), and North Korea (180th).
Table showing Top 5 in WPFI 2023:
| Rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 161 | India | 36.62 |
| 1 | Norway | 95.18 |
| 2 | Ireland | 89.91 |
| 3 | Denmark | 89.48 |
| 4 | Sweden | 88.15 |
| 5 | Finland | 87.94 |
Click here for Official RSF WPFI 2023
Key Points:
i. According to the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, the situation is “very serious” in 31 countries, “difficult” in 42, “problematic” in 55, and “good” or “satisfactory” in 52 countries.
ii. Only 3 out of 10 countries have a “satisfactory” environment for journalism, while 7 out of 10 have a “bad” environment.
iii. World Press Freedom Index:
- World Press Freedom Index, a ranking of countries based on the degree of press freedom they provide.
- The Index is annually compiled by Paris(France)-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a non-profit organization that advocates for press freedom worldwide, and published since 2002.
iv. According to RSF, WPFI uses 5 new indicators that shape the Index and provides a vision of press freedom in all its complexity: political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context and safety.
About the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General- Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters- Paris, France
Establishment- 1945 (came into force in 1946)
Members- 193 Members and 11 Associate Members.
