World Press Freedom Day on May 3
ISLAMABAD – Monday, May 3, is World Press Freedom Day, to remember and stress importance of free press in a free society and time to honour those nations that embrace one of democracy’s most essential rights.
The day is being observed in commemoration with the anniversary of the 1991 signing of the ‘Windhoek Declaration’ in Africa that calls for free, independent and pluralist media in every country.
The theme decided for this year press freedom day is “Reporting and Under-reporting: Who Decides?”
Highlighting World Press Freedom Day, the committee on information will commence its morning session of work on May 3 to the Day with a two-part event.
Opening session will be addressed by Kofi Annan, Secretary-General, United Nations Organisations (UNO) Iftekhar Ahmed Chaudhry, Chairman, United Nations Committee on Information, Viviane F. Launay, Director, Unesco Liaison office in New York, and Tony Jenkins, President, United Nations Correspondents Association.
Participants will speak on role of world media in covering global issues and examine perception of audience interest, commercial considerations, lack of resources or other reasons that determine editorial choices and the extent of news coverage.
Around the globe, journalists routinely face censorship, imprisonment and assault. Many have given their lives “36 in 2003, at least 17 more this year” in pursuit of truth.
According to the New York based committee to protect journalists, another 136 were jailed in each of the past two years as a direct result of their work.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:5/3/2004
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