World Press Freedom Day 2018

                Ten days ago, precisely on 3rd of May, All over the world was celebrated the freedom to speak the truth, to talk about things that matter. This post is a summary of three articles. The first was publushed at https://en.unesco.org/news/world-press-freedom-day-2018-keeping-power-check-media-justice-and-rule-law. The second was published at http://www.ipsnews.net/2018/04/world-press-freedom-day-2018/. The third was published at https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/201618-campus-journalists-world-press-freedom-day-2018. The fourth was published at  https://webfoundation.org/2018/05/keeping-power-in-check-media-justice-and-the-rule-of-law/

               May 3 will mark the 25th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) whose flagship celebration, organized by UNESCO and the government of Ghana, will be held in Accra. The theme chosen for this year is "Keeping Power in Check: Media, justice and the Rule of Law." It explores the interaction between the judiciary and the media, and their complementary roles in fostering transparency, accountability and governance. Dozens of WPFD events are being organized around the world. The programme of the International Conference in Accra highlights the media's contribution to government accountability and to the transparency of elections. Ways to reinforce the ability of the judiciary to protect press freedom will be assessed along with the risk posed by attempts to regulate online speech. On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, UNESCO will launch its flagship publications on press freedom: the World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development and Re-shaping Cultural Policies. An exhibition of works by this year's winners of UNESCO's annual World Press Photo Contest will be on show during the celebration. Independent news organizations come together, launching a new campaign, Read More, Listen More,  for WPFD urging everyone to look beyond their usual information channels and seek out news sources that offer a different perspective. Meanwhile, video messages by high profile journalists, artists and advocates will highlight the inportance of press freedom and freedom of expression from various perspectives at a time when misinformation, censorship, harassment and violence against journalists put new strains on fundamental human rights.

              The theme for the 25th celebration of World Press Freedom Day is "Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law," focussing on the importance of an enabling legal environment for press freedom, and gives attention to the role of an independent judiciary in ensuring legal guarantees for press freedom and prosecution of crimes against journalists. Only 13% of the world population enjoys a free press, where coverage of politics is robust, the safety of journalists is guaranteed, and state intrusion in media affairs is minimal. Political and economic transformations of some countries alongside with their technological developments place new restrictions on press freedom. Governments of these countries tend to implement restrictive laws and cersorship on freedom of press, usually justifying these actions as a necessary tool for national security against terrorism. Since 2000, annual incarceration of journalists has continued to increase globally, with many of them never seeing inside of a courtroom. In 2017, 81 journalists died whilst committed to their jobs, 66% of them were murdered. According to the 2017 World Press Freedom Index, violence and restrictions against media freedom has risen by 14% in the period of 2012-2017. At the same time, since 2016, media freedom in countries where it was ranked as "good" decreased by 2.3% Among the countries that suffered the largest declines on the report's in 2016 were Poland, Turkey, Hungary, Bolivia, Serbia, and R.P.Congo.

              For World Press Freedom Day, several campus journalists from different universities in Manila shared their thoughts on why press freedom is important in an era of fake news and disinformation. "As a student, I have been a managing editor of a newspaper, and this is how I saw the world now, how I started my passion in communication," Aica Escarez told. "This is where I saw that there are lots of problems that can be addressed by opening the eyes of the people," she added. This was echoed by Franco Luna, a campus journalist from Manila University, "I have seen how  journalism triggers critical thinking on campus, freedom of the press and freedom of expression help people make informed decisions by themselves," Luna added. Several students also noted how journalism can shape public opinion, and how this allow them to think critically about issues that are important to the country. "Journalism encourage citizens to act according to their democratic rights," said Josiah Antonio. Another student, Luis Foronda said, "I believe that press freedom provides a critical perspective of our history and of our current events." Another campus journalist, Gerard Guillermo, also said that journalism and the media are among the pillars of a democracy. "If we do not give it sufficient importance or emphasis, we will see the continuous erosion of democracy," He said. For Flint Gorospe, a campus journalist from Polytechnic of the Philippines, press freedom is important in unveiling the truth. He said, "I believe that press freedom is important because it helps unveil the truth about events in our country especially now that fake news and spreading disinformation is becoming common practice for a lot of people."

               My name is Nnenna. I come from the internet. I work with the organisation founded by and on the principles set forth by Tim Berners Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web. At the WWW Foundation, we work with all stakeholder to keep the web a beneficial, open and safe space for evryereryone. With the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), we consistently seek good practices to make broadband connectivity affordable. For the past few years that I have been on the board of Pen+Bytes, a media organisation that works for the enhancement of governance through citizen participation. I am also an Advisory Council member of European Digital Rights (EDRi). It has been a challenge, a rewarding challenge. Whether we are charing by physical hand-over or by clicking a button, I can say one thing: that the people from the internet and people from the press share the same principles. We want: Freedom; of information and of disseminating the benefits of information and knowledge.  Independence; from political, religious or corporate pressure. Safety; to go about our daily work and lives freely. Plurality and diversity; especially as we now live in a global village.  Gender balance and social justice; so we leave no one behind. The web has opened up journalism to new writers, editors and outlets. And the potential audience for journalism has grown as more people become connected, consuming more media than ever before. But this window of opportunity could close if we do not fight to keep information flowing and the web free and open. Traditional media, new media, online platform, face the same threats. We face government crackdown on free expression. We all face the threat of fake news. It is only when information is credible and reliable that papers and platforms will truly empower people.