"Defending Democracy: Celebrating World Press Freedom Day"

World Press Freedom Day is observed every year on May 3 to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, to defend the media from attacks on their independence, and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation by UNESCO's General Conference. It serves as an occasion to raise awareness about the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This year's theme for World Press Freedom Day is "Information as a Public Good." The theme highlights the critical role of information in the public sphere and emphasizes the need to ensure that information is freely accessible to all members of society.

The day is a reminder that a free and independent press is essential to the functioning of democracy and the protection of human rights. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by journalists and media organizations around the world and to renew our commitment to defending press freedom and the right to access information.