Media encouraged to commemorate World Press Freedom Day

PHILIPPINES, Manila : Nude members of a university fraternity make their way through a crowd of students during the traditional 'Oblation Run' at the University of the Philippines campus in suburban Manila on 15 December 2009 to protest against the massacre of journalists in the southern part of the country. AFP Photo/Jay Directo

WAN-IFRA has made available essays, opinion pieces, interviews, infographics, editorial cartoons, photographs, advertisements and more for publication, available in English, French, Spanish, German and Russian, on or around 3 May, and has just added protest letters that readers can send to governments in countries where intimidation and attacks on journalists are widespread.

The new protest letters can be signed and sent to the leaders of Iran, Mexico, the Philippines, China and Sri Lanka, calling for an end to attacks and other forms of intimidation against journalists.

World Press Freedom Day marks the anniversary of the 1991 Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of principles calling for a free, independent and pluralistic media throughout the world. The declaration affirms that a free press is essential to the existence of democracy and a fundamental human goal.

It has become a day to raise awareness of press freedom problems worldwide, and to recognise the sacrifices that independent media and journalists make to keep their societies informed.

The materials provided by WAN-IFRA for 3 May give an in-depth look at the problem of journalists in exile and are designed to help publications:

• Inspire with editorials and interviews from exiled journalists, publishers and public figures.
  
• Evoke emotion with striking high-resolution photographs.
  
• Illustrate with clever infographics.
  
• Encourage young readers and teachers to take part with classroom activities, testimonials and a competition.

To access the World Press Freedom Day materials, go to www.worldpressfreedomday.org.