World Press Freedom Day

The Theme for the panel discussion was, ‘Empowering youth voices: the role of young people in upholding press freedom and government accountability’

Panelists of the night included UNDP Chief Technical Advisor – Anti corruption Dr Alma Sedlar, INDESCO Founder and Consultant Bryan Earles, Jonathan Holingu from the PNG Law Society, GBV Advocate Hennah Joku and Moderator Bronwyn Kili.

It is also a time to defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The theme for 2019’s World Press Freedom Day, “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation”, discusses current challenges faced by media in disseminating information in the context of elections.

As Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has stated: “The existence of free, pluralistic and independent media is a prerequisite for the proper functioning of democracies”.

“It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics,” says the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Every year, this particular date celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom.

“It serves to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession,” says UNESCO.

WPFD celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

More than 100 national celebrations take place each year to commemorate this day.

UNESCO leads the worldwide celebration by identifying the global thematic and organising the main event in different parts of world every year.