World Press Freedom Day 2021

On May 3rd, World Press Freedom Day is observed. In different parts of the world, the freedom of the media is targeted by abolishing or restraining the freedom of the press. World Press Freedom Day is also celebrated to remember the journalists who ended up losing their lives while pursuing the truth.

This article will provide information about an important day – World Press Freedom Day in the context of the IAS Exam.

The candidates can read more relevant information from the links provided below:

Significance of World Press Freedom Day

• World Press Freedom Day is used as an opportunity to reflect on the professional ethics of journalists.
• World Press Freedom Day is also used as an opportunity to remind the Governments about their need to remain committed to the goal of press freedom and celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom.
• Every year, on 3rd May, tributes are paid to journalists who lost their lives while carrying out their duty, and the media is defended from attacks on their independence.

World Press Freedom Day – Origin

• In December 1993, the UN General Assembly proclaimed World Press Freedom Day.
• This decision was taken after the recommendations given by the UNESCO’s General Conference.
• 3rd May was chosen as the day to celebrate World Press Freedom Day to mark the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek.

World Press Freedom Day 2021 – Global Conference

• The 2021 Global conference on World Press Freedom was hosted by the Government of Namibia and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
• It was a conference having a combination of physical presence and virtual presence.
• One of the agendas of the Global Conference was discussion on the threat of extinction faced by local news media around the world.
• This crisis was aggravated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Global conference focused on empowering the citizens to tackle these challenges by supporting media independence.
• This global conference will discuss the ideas on improving the working conditions of journalists, increasing the safety of journalists, pushing for higher transparency among internet companies, and tackling the challenges of the online media environment.
• This Global Conference on World Press Freedom is held annually.
• The ideas in the conference are discussed by the public, academicians, national authorities, representatives from civil societies and the journalists themselves.

World Press Freedom Day 2021 – Theme

• Information as a Public Good was the theme of World Press Freedom Day.
• This theme for World Press Freedom Day 2021 is of prime relevance to all the nations across the globe.
• It recognizes the changing communications system that is impacting sustainable development, democracies, human rights, and health.

World Press Freedom Day 2021, Global Conference – 3 Key Topics

The three key topics that are highlighted in this global conference are

1. To help people realise that journalism is part of public good by enabling people to recognize value, demand, and defend by enhancing media and information literacy.
2. To ensure transparency from Internet companies, develop mechanisms to address it.
3. News media needs to be economically viable, hence develop steps to address the same.

Windhoek Declaration

• Windhoek Declaration is a statement of press freedom principles by African newspaper journalists in 1991.
• Windhoek is the capital of Namibia. The Windhoek Declaration was given at the UNESCO seminar held in Windhoek.

UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize

• UNESCO marks World Press Freedom Day by conferring the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize on deserving institutions, organisations or individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the promotion or defence of press freedom in any part of the globe.
• Guillermo Cano was a journalist from Colombia, who was assassinated in front of his office.
• The World Press Freedom Prize will be given after the recommendation of an independent jury of 14 news professionals.

World Press Freedom Day [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

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