Today all the world is celebrating the importance of an independent and courageous media, and like many other around the world are doing today, this post is a tribute to all journalists that died, or are risking their lives in order to tell us the truth. This post is a summary of four articles. The first was published at ttps://blog.wan-ifra.org/2020/04/24/journalism-without-fear-or-favour. The second was published at https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldpressfreedomday. The third was published at https://www.government.nl/ministries/ministry-of-foreign-affairs/events/unesco-world-press-freedom-conference-2020. The fourth was published at https://www.republicworld.com/lifestyle/festivals/world-press-freedom-day-2020-theme.html
Good journalism is made for times such as these. Good journalism have ensured our leaders remain accountable, their policies are scrutinised, and their promises will be kept in check as we navigate the coming months and a cautious return to optimism. To mark this World Press Freedom Day, we must celebrate this, recognise the sacrifices of media professionals who ensure the daily free flow of information, and hope that independent media can survive to help lead us into better times. During a crisis, journalism is arguably more vital than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly placed independent media front and centre in providing verified, accurate information. But to say we need journalism now more than ever marks a reality worth reiterating loud and clear. Independent journalism is vital, day in, day out, for everyone. Media's public interest role is essential to how we understand our world and make decisions in it. The measures taken in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic have accentuated the financial precarity of media worldwide, risking the survival of independent journalism. Despite the painful, inevitable turmoil this will bring, we must embrace the opportunities that arise, the new ways of working, doing business, and our relationship with the world and people around us. But one thing is certain to prevail. The very soul of our profession, our ability to conduct journalism without fear or favour.
At a time when we are mired in worry and uncertainty because of the coronavirus pandemic, free information is essential to helping us face, understand, think about and overcome this crisis. This is why the U.N. family to fight the "infodemic" of rumours and disinformation which is exacerbating the pandemic and putting lives at risk. To help put an end to the problem, we have joined forces to promote two major social-media campaigns,"Together for Facts, Science and Solidarity" and "Don't Go Viral". To bolster the effectiveness of these initiatives, UNESCO has also created a COVID-19 resource centre for the media. This online platform aims to help journalists track false information regarding the pandemic and report on the crisis reliably and effectively, as encouraged by the theme of World Press Freedom Day 2020, "Journalism Without Fear or Favour". This theme is a timely celebration of the work of those who stand up for freedom of information and for an independent press which examines and states the facts. Too often, we see interference with freedom of the press. Whether this interference involves political, ideological or economic control, defamatory attacks intended to discredit their target, or harassment, too often, it aims to silence journalists. This is why the U.N. system , together with new coalitions formed by media, governments, and actors from the spheres of law, academia and civil society worldwide, is supporting journalists and their fight for independence and the truth. Today, at this crucial moment and for our future, we need a free press, and journalists need to be able to count on all of us.
The Netherlands and UNESCO will host the World Press Freedom Conference 2020 in the Hague on October 18-20. World Press Freedom Day is observed every year on 3 May. The aim is to celebrate principles of press freedom, evaluate press freedom around the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
Each year this special day is observed to celebrate the spirit of journalism and pay gratitude to those journalists who lost their lives in order to bring us honest and real news about happenings in the nation, city or state. The freedom of expression of the media helps in creating awareness amongst the general population. On Sunday, May 3, several campaigns, online debates, webinars, and workshops will be launched in order to commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2020 in accordance with its theme. Apart from the theme of this year, there are also certain sub-themes this year which include. 1) Safety of journalists and media workers. 2) Independent journalism free from political and commercial influence. 3) Gender equality in all aspect of the media.
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