World Press Freedom Day 2012 – Asia and the Pacific

Posted by Marlon Magtira - Thu. May 03, 2012 3:50 pm

World Press Freedom Day came about twenty years ago in response to a vision of a group of journalists that gathered together at Windhoek, in Namibia.

The Windhoek Declaration was a call to arms to protect the fundamental principles of the freedom of expression that is enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

On May 3 each year, World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) is an opportunity to commemorate the fundamental principles of press freedom, to celebrate the press and to honour journalists who have demonstrated courage in standing up for media ethics and free expression around the world.

The theme for WPFD 2012 is New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies.

Throughout the region, IFJ affiliates are undertaking a number of activities during the week of May 3.

Australia The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance and its professional development arm, the Walkley Foundation, will host the 2012 Press Freedom Media Dinner in Sydney on Friday, May 4.

The dinner is the media industrys major fundraising event and recognises that free speech and a free and unfettered press that serves the public good, are the most important guarantors of democracy.

Each year, media and business unite to recognise the importance of press freedom and support the many journalists and media workers under pressure in the Asia-Pacific region.

Originally posted here:
World Press Freedom Day 2012 – Asia and the Pacific