World Press Freedom Day

What Is World Press Freedom Day?

May 3 is World Press Freedom Day. It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference. The date marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, and the day is observed worldwide to affirm the importance of press freedom.

What the Day Aims For

According to the United Nations, the day reminds governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom, and it is also a day of reflection for media professionals on press freedom and professional ethics.

• Celebrating press freedom: It is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom.
• Assessing the situation: It is also a day to assess the state of press freedom around the world.
• Links to peace and development: The UN says that by fostering access to reliable information, accountability, dialogue, and trust, press freedom and independent journalism are key to peace, sustainable development, and human rights.

Press Freedom Is in Decline

According to the UN, UNESCO's World Trends Report 2022–2025 found that press freedom has experienced its steepest decline since 2012. The UN says this decline is comparable to that seen during the most unstable periods of the 20th century.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Read and compare news from a newspaper or outlet you don't usually use
• Make a habit of checking the source of information before sharing it on social media
• Look up this year's World Press Freedom Day theme on the UN or UNESCO website
• Talk with family or coworkers about how to identify reliable information

A Day to Think About Reliable Information

In Japan, May 3 is Constitution Memorial Day, but around the world it is also a day to think about press freedom. We can follow the news every day because there are people who report and deliver it. Why not take a moment today to think about how we receive and share information?