World Press Freedom Day celebrated today

Today, May 3, is World Press Freedom Day.

It has been celebrated since 1993, when the UN General Assembly announced it at its 48th session at the initiative of the UNESCO General Conference.

It was on May 3, 1991, at the UNESCO Seminar in Windhoek, Namibia, that the Windhoek Declaration was signed, calling on governments around the world to ensure freedom and democratic character of the press.

Since then, the 1991 Windhoek Declaration has been an example and catalyst for the struggle for press freedom around the world. It has inspired regional declarations, promoted professional and ethical standards of journalism, facilitated the work of press freedom organizations, and promoted media legislation reforms and the development of free, independent, and pluralistic media.

This year, May 2 to 5, UNESCO together with the Republic of Uruguay will hold a World Conference to celebrate Press Freedom Day. The conference will address modern aspects of freedom of expression, access to information and the role of journalism in achieving the public good in the face of changes in the world's communication ecosystem.