Reading newspapers or watching the news on television, has become part of our daily life. We assume that whatever we read, watch or understand through the media is true. Have you ever thought about a situation where newspapers and news channels do not exist at all?
The press is one of the most celebrated pillars of democracy. A nation where the press does not enjoy freedom cannot be regarded as truly free. Therefore, the World Press Freedom Day is an important occasion to ponder over the right to freedom of expression and creativity. The world celebrates such a day on May 3.
This observance is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It also holds the press responsible as a watchdog, fostering transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
The World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a UNESCO seminar held in Windhoek, Namibia, upholding press freedom principles by African newspaper journalists.
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