World Press Freedom Day

World Press Freedom Day 2016

Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms: This is Your Right! - UNESCO

A free press has been described as a significant tool for transforming societies, just as it is believed that the media is the fourth arm of the government in a democratic dispensation.

This free press aids open access to any kind of information, in addition to new channels of dissemination.

A free press is argued to be one of top standing fundamental human rights, notwithstanding the political dispensation.

The addition of the internet (social media, blogs, podcasts) have become impactful tools that empower users to produce and share their views on public affairs and to disseminate news in real time as they unfold – no more waiting for the newspapers or the magazines.

A free press has come to play a fundamental role for democratic participation and are gradually becoming embedded as relevant sources of information for their audiences.

However, we must note and consider the fact that the freedom and even the personal safety of the lives and properties of these journalists, bloggers and social network users are regularly threatened by undue restrictions.

The idea of the free press is quite fragile – journalists are being kidnapped or abused for doing their jobs, publications are being censored, some countries even pass laws that criminalize free speech.

The foundation and the consequent idea of the free press should be argued and journalists, bloggers and so on should be protected in such a way that they are not hindered while doing their jobs, as a free press is a significant tool for societal development.

The World Press Freedom Day will be held in Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, Finland.