Today is World Press Freedom Day. It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993.
It is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
In a message the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres says, “No democracy is complete without access to transparent and reliable information”.
It is the cornerstone for building fair and impartial institutions, holding leaders accountable and speaking truth to power.
This year’s theme, “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation”, discusses current challenges faced by media in elections, along with the media’s potential in supporting peace and reconciliation processes.