General Studies – II (Important aspects of governance)
Gist Of Editorials
04 May 2021
Every year May 3rd is observed as World Press Freedom Day.
According to UNESCO, the day dedicated to freedom of press underscores the need for governments and people across the world to ”respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.”
History:
It was in the year 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 as the World Press Freedom Day.
- This declaration came after a recommendation made in 1991 at the twenty-sixth General Conference session of UNESCO.
- The declaration also came as a result of 1991 Windhoek Declaration, presented at a seminar held by UNESCO, which concluded on May 3.
- Windhoek Declaration was a statement which was produced by African journalists about press freedom.
Theme:
- The theme for World Press Day 2021 is “Information as a Public Good.”
- It is especially significant for the press, which deals with information on a global scale, to effectively use and disseminate it to the world citizenry while empowering journalists.
Significance:
The day is celebrated to:
- Ensure the protection and safety of the press in the face of attacks against its independence,
- Discuss journalistic ethics and
- Celebrate journalists who gave their lives in the pursuit of truth.
There are ten nations – China, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Eritrea, Djibouti, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, and Cuba – where press freedom is severely limited.
World Press Day reminds us that many publications and their editors and reporters are often prevented from doing their jobs, censored and banned.
Source: The Hindu
