It is too easy to assume that the information we receive through the media are accurate and thorough. However, while the press has relative freedom in some parts of the world, censorship remains a problem in many countries.
On 3 May 2016, people around the world will celebrate World Day of annual press freedom. Discover more about this important event and the issues it highlights, and learn how you can get involved.
An overview of the World Day of Press Freedom
World Day of Freedom of the Press was born in 1993 when the United Nations proclaimed compliance with the recommendation of the General Conference UNESCO
UNESCO offers this description of the objective of the World Press freedom Day. "It serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of freedom of the press and professional ethics. Equally important, the World day of freedom of the press is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for journalists who lost their lives in exercise of their profession. "
An important event
World Day of Freedom of the press is a time for citizens to stand back, duly gratitude to journalists, and express their support for freedom of the press in the whole world.
the number of journalists killed in the line of duty in itself is a stark reminder of why this event is so important. In 2015 alone, 69 journalists were killed on the job. Most deaths occurred in Syria, and Islamic military groups are the main culprits behind the murders. Even more troubling is the fact that those who kill journalists rarely face appropriate consequences for their actions; in the last decade, more than 350 journalists have been killed. In 0 percent of these cases, there was no conviction.
Oppression of the press is not only a problem in countries where there is obvious violence and animosity against journalists. In many countries, journalists face harsh prison sentences if they do not comply with the ideas of what the public should know the government. The countries with the most media censorship are:
- Eritrea
- North Korea
- Saudi Arabia
- Ethiopia
- Azerbaijan
- Vietnam
- Iran
- China
- Myanmar
- Cuba
it is estimated that , Eritrea, 23 journalists are in prison, and none of them have even had the privilege of a trial. In North Korea, less than 10 percent of the population owns a cell phone, and access to the World Wide Web is very limited.
The facts above are only the tip of the iceberg. Media censorship is a troubling problem worldwide, and the World Day of Press Freedom uses an annual request that the issue be addressed.
What happens during the World Press Freedom Day?
Exactly how is World Freedom Day press fulfill its mission? The main celebration will take place May 2 to May 4 at the Finlandia Hall in Helsinki. There will be panel discussions, an awards ceremony and other events that focus on the themes of this year, which are :.
- Freedom of Information and Sustainable Development
- The protection of the freedom of the press censorship and monitoring overreach.
- Ensuring the safety of journalists online and offline.
Finland is not the only place where the World Day of Press Freedom sensation. There will be celebrations in major cities worldwide. You can find more information on the UNESCO website.
How to participate
If you feel passionately that the media should have the freedom, the World Day of Press Freedom is the perfect opportunity for you to express your convictions.
Even if you can not attend one of the official celebrations of the World Day of Press Freedom, you can participate in drawing attention to the issues. Use your social media accounts to remember the fallen journalists and share facts about media censorship.
You can also adopt tools that will give you access to content worldwide, enabling you to bypass government censorship. Hotspot Shield VPN allows you to change your virtual location, opening you to take in the perspectives from all corners of the globe. AnchorFree, the maker of Hotspot Shield, is committed to "provide secure and private access to the world's information for every person on the planet." Six million people download Hotspot Shield each month.
World Day freedom of the press is to focus attention on important issues and fighting against forced silence that governments seek to impose on their citizens. Take your position on this issue by attending this important world event.
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