(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release: Paris, 29 March 2001 Download Now for World Press Freedom Day In a special initiative to mark the 10th World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, the World Association of Newspapers has asked world leaders: “What does press freedom mean to you?” The Pope replied. So […]
(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release:
Paris, 29 March 2001
Download Now for World Press Freedom Day
In a special initiative to mark the 10th World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, the World Association of Newspapers has asked world leaders: “What does press freedom mean to you?”
The Pope replied. So did the British Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and many other leaders from all over the planet. Their responses are included in a package of editorial and advertising materials that newspapers are being encouraged to publish on World Press Freedom Day.
The package is now available for downloading from the WAN web site at www.wan-press.org/3may/ and will soon be mailed to thousands of newspapers world-wide. WAN is encouraging newspapers to commemorate 3 May by publishing these materials.
Pope John Paul II said: “The Church recognises the need for freedom of speech and freedom of the press…But she goes further. Rights imply corresponding duties. The proper exercise of the right to information demands that the content of what is communicated be true and – within the limits set by justice and charity – complete.”
Prime Minister Blair, responded: “A free press will sometimes make uncomfortable reading for any politician. But any passing embarrassment or justified indignation must never blind us to its vital role in both the health and protection of democracy.”
And Germany Chancellor Schröder said: “Democracy is impossible without freedom of the press. Complex controversies cannot be solved without freedom of the press, as questions must be aired.”
World Press Freedom Day exists to recognise the sacrifices made in the struggle for freedom of the press and to put pressure on numerous governments that continue to deny their citizens this basic human right. Each year, WAN and the World Editors Forum collect and distribute essays, photos, statistics and graphics for publication in newspapers world-wide to help raise awareness of the issues.
The 2001 package will include an essay on press freedom developments during the past decade and on perspectives for the future.
WAN and the WEF are also providing infographics on jailed journalists, on murders and on other press freedom attacks, and advertisements highlighting press freedom.
The package will also include teaching materials and classroom exercises to help children understand how freedom of expression or the lack of it affects their lives. The materials are intended for use in Newspapers in Education programmes, and newspapers are encouraged to distribute them to local schools.
World Press Freedom Day marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of principles drawn up by African journalists calling for a free, independent and pluralistic media on that continent and throughout the world. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Declaration, which affirms that a free press is essential to the existence of democracy and a fundamental human goal.
“Newspapers are often reluctant to talk about the problems of their own profession, but we hope they will make an exception on World Press Freedom Day, not so much for the profession itself, but for their readers,” said the WAN Director General, Timothy Balding. “Ten years after the Declaration of Windhoek, too many people in Africa and elsewhere – continue to live without the basic human right to freedom of expression.”
The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 17,000 newspapers; its membership includes 67 national newspaper associations, individual newspaper executives in 93 countries, 17 news agencies and eight regional and world-wide press groups.
