We are currently living in a world where uncertainty has taken too much place. Due to the pandemic that hit all the nations worldwide, a variety of sectors have been touched so hard that many controversies have emerged around. One of these sectors is communication and media. Indeed, journalists and media workers have been found to increasingly struggle with freedom of expression and to not be able to fully enjoy their profession.

This is why every year, on 3 May, a day dedicated to celebrate World Press Freedom Day has been declared. The day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a UNESCO’s general conference in 1991 which took place in Windhoek, Namibia. In fact, it has served as an occasion to inform citizens of the violations of press freedom – since some publications and social media contents have been targeted to censor and suspension while media workers have been harassed, attacked and even killed worldwide – and also to remind countries around the world about the principles of press freedom and the fundamental rights on freedom of expression (UNESCO).

Highlights on World Press Freedom Day 2021 observance

This year’s global theme “information as a public good” deals with the major difference between information and other various communications content such as disinformation, hate speech, entertainment and data.The aim of this theme is essentially to draw attention to the key role of journalism in producing and spreading news as verified information in the public interest, and to the importance of assessing information and cherishing it as a public good while promoting transparency and empowerment. To proceed, as provided and initiated by UNESCO, the global observance will focus on three main topics:

• Steps to ensure the economic viability of news media;
• Mechanisms for ensuring transparency of Internet companies; and
• Enhanced media and information literacy capacities that enable people to recognize and value, as well as defend and demand, journalism as a vital part of information as a public good.

This year, the observance of World Press Freedom Day or WPFD is scheduled to run from 29 April to 3 May in Windhoek and the event is going to be both a virtual and in-presence experience and participation while respecting all the sanitary barriers set up against the pandemic such as social distancing and other precautions.

WPFD global conference hosted by UNESCO and the government of Namibia will include forums, seminars, artistic showcases, film screenings and more other activities. Further, the conference is intended to connect activists, policymakers, media experts, artists and researchers throughout the world.

It is important to note that WPFD 2021 observance in Windhoek indeed marks the 30th anniversary of Windhoek declaration held in 1991 in Namibia, where WPFD had its first origin. On 3 May 1991, Windhoek declaration for the Development of a Free Independent and Pluralistic Press was adopted, and this year World Press Freedom Day will be commemorated in its birthplace, in Windhoek, Namibia.

Sources : UNESCO / The United Nations