May 3 is World Press Freedom Day. It is more important than ever to celebrate press freedom, to understand what it means and to assure it exists and is respected.

Press freedom is not something to be taken for granted — even in the most economically advanced democracies.

It is easy today to confuse perspective with fact, and credible journalism with promotion.

Intellectual property relies on a free and independent press to provide accurate, accountable reporting and information about IP rights and creators.

World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.

WPFD 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.

2019 Theme: Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation

Image source: unesco.org; pen.org