WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
It was in the year 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 as the World Press Freedom Day. This declaration came after a recommendation made in 1991 at the twenty-sixth General Conference session of UNESCO. The declaration also came as a result of 1991 Windhoek Declaration; a statement which was produced by African journalists about press freedom, presented at a seminar held by UNESCO, which concluded on 3rdMay.
To defend the media from attacks on their independence, to evaluate press freedom around the world and to give tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession, we celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom every year on 3rd May.
The press is acknowledged as the fourth pillar of democracy. The editors, reporters and photographers have always risked their reputations and lives for seeking the truth behind the story. For doing these tasks, a degree of freedom is must and required which should be guaranteed by the constitutions of democratic nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Freedom of press is an essential right and core principle of democracy which is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S Constitution, a free press helps in maintaining the balance of power in government.
This is a day to encourage, support and develop initiatives in favour of press freedom. It call up thegovernments to respect their commitment to press freedom and a day of reflection among media professionals about professional ethics.
To ensure the safety and protection of press and to discuss journalistic ethics, we celebrated this day for those journalists who gave their lives in search of truth.
To use effectively and disseminate correct information to the world citizens, it is essential for the press, which deals with the information on a global scale.
Preeti Nagar
HIMCOM
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