World Press Freedom Day

Access to information is the lifeblood of a free media and democratic society, a fact worth remembering as we mark World Press Freedom Day.

Through their courageous work or activism, the “100 information heroes” profiled by RWB help to promote the freedom to “seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

Recent arrests of journalists have raised doubts about Burma’s commitment to freedom of the press, says a senior US State Department official. A Mizzima freelance reporter was recently arrested, a day after helping to organise a protest calling for greater media freedom and the release of six imprisoned journalists.

What do democracy and press freedom have in common? Why is impunity such an important issue in Latin America and the Caribbean? Watch this video commemorating World Press Freedom Day to find out.

On World Press Freedom Day, CPJ is calling on authorities to release 10 journalists silenced by authorities, as well as all others being held in relation to their work.

Turkish journalist Ahmet Şik is an ardent defender of freedom of expression, and has devoted his career to denouncing corruption and human rights abuses.

The IFJ Asia Pacific is partnering with the The Walkley Foundation and the MEAA for the second annual 30 Days of Press Freedom campaign. On each of the 30 days leading up to 3 May, World Press Freedom Day, the groups will be sharing, highlighting and showcasing stories to raise awareness of press freedom issues in the Asia Pacific region.

The 30 Days for Freedom campaign highlights the plight of jailed journalists worldwide by focusing on 30 individuals currently imprisoned because of their work.

195 civil society organisations from around the world have called on the UN to put government accountability and independent media at the centre of a new framework for global development.

Two journalists were detained on World Press Freedom Day, and are being charged with criminal defamation for publishing supposedly pornographic photographs of a lawyer.

Libel is a criminal offense in the Philippines. But only when a complaint has been filed in court and a warrant of arrest issued by a judge may the alleged offender be arrested.

In a joint letter, the Government of Indonesia is urged to reopen investigations into the 1996 murder of investigative journalist Udin and to identify and prosecute his killers before the statute of limitations on his murder runs out in August 2014.

On World Press Freedom Day, ARTICLE 19 unveiled a new policy paper that calls for lawmakers to better promote and protect the rights of bloggers domestically and internationally.

At least six journalists have been killed in the line of duty in Pakistan during the first four months of 2013, according to a report by the Pakistan Press Foundation.

On World Press Freedom Day, the International Federation of Journalists launched a report on South Asia, the eleventh in an annual series that reviews all developments that have a bearing on media freedom and quality journalism in the region.

A joint declaration by the four special rapporteurs makes a series of recommendations to states addressing the digital transition process.