The UN theme on World Press Freedom Day highlights the importance of enabling a legal environment for press freedom and gives special attention to the role of an independent judiciary.
Many countries across the world are celebrating the World Press Freedom Day today. The United Nations is celebrating this year’s Press Freedom Day with the theme: “Keeping Power in Check”. United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres called for strengthening the press freedom and protecting the journalists. Urging the governments across the world, he said, “On World Press Freedom Day 2018, I call on governments to strengthen press freedom and to protect journalists. Promoting a free press is standing up for our right to truth.”
The statement on UN website read that this year’s theme highlights the importance of enabling a legal environment for press freedom, and gives special attention to the role of an independent judiciary. The statement says that the independent judiciary ensures legal guarantees for press freedom and the prosecution of crimes against journalists.
Promoting a free press is standing up for our right to truth. On #WorldPressFreedomDay, I call for the protection of journalists and the strengthening of press freedom. https://t.co/xy1b9ZE0CL pic.twitter.com/AhMrGbLYiV
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 2, 2018
Hailing the media as a watchdog, it further states that the role of the media is vital in sustainable development, especially during elections – as a watchdog fostering transparency, accountability and the rule of law. “The theme also aims to explore legislative gaps with regard to freedom of expression and information online, and the risks of regulating online speech,” said the UN statement.
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 is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.
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