World Press Freedom Day 2019: From freedom to express to access of knowledge, press and media are one of the biggest reasons for the development. Well honestly, the invention of the press was one of the most important events in the History of the Human which is why the Windhoek Declaration for the Development of a Free, Independent and Pluralistic Press was passed. As recognized by the United Nations, the Worl Press Freedom Day falls on May 03 and this year, the theme is “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation”.
World Press Freedom Day 2019
Here is a quick glance at World Press Freedom Day 2019
- Dates: 1st May 2019 to 3rd May 2019
- Venue: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Theme: Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation
- Registration: Inter Continental Hotel, Ethiopia
- Official Website: UNESCO
- For More Information: Download WPFD 2019″ Mobile App.
World Press Freedom Day will be celebrated in the Addis Ababa in Ethiopia starting from 1st May to 3rd May the registration for which were closed to International Participants on April 18, 2019. If you are a local resident and interested to take part in the UNESCO workshops and celebrations, you should know that the Registrations are only available at the Inter Continental Hotel starting from 30th April to 1st May all day. You will get a badge after you have been registered. For Room and Time Updates, you can download the ” WPFD 2019″ Mobile App.
World Press Freedom Day Theme Explained
Head down below to the explained version of the World Press Freedom Day Theme 2019, Check all details about the theme which is “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation”
The World Press Freedom Day Theme is changed every year so that citizens are made aware of each and every aspect of Modern Press Freedom Day every year. The list of the World Press Freedom Day themes below will give you a glimpse of all the themes starting from the year 1998 to the present 2019 Theme by UNESCO.
The World Press Freedom Day 2019 Theme is “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation” which simply explains how media is the most powerful at the time of elections. One wrong or right news about the existing government can change the opinions of the people. Many people use this power to degrade someone and thus instill disinformation in the society. Hence, this year the UNESCO has decided to conduct seminars and workshops to create awareness about the importance of Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation”. The below table explains the World Press Freedom Day Themes since the year 1998 until the present year.
| City – Year | Theme of the World Press Freedom Day |
| London – 1998 | “Press Freedom is a Cornerstone of Human Rights.” |
| Bogotá – 1999 | “Turbulent Eras – Generational Perspectives on Freedom of the Press.” |
| Genève – 2000 | “Reporting the News in a Dangerous World: The Role of the Media in conflict settlement, Reconciliation and peace-building.” |
| Windhoek – 2001 | “Combating racism and promoting diversity: the role of free press.” |
| Manila – 2002 | “Covering the War on Global Terrorism.” |
| Kingston – 2003 | “The Media and Armed Conflict.” |
| Belgrade – 2004 | “Who decides how much information? |
| Dakar – 2005 | “Media and Good Governance”. |
| Colombo – 2006 | “The media as drivers of change.” |
| Medellín – 2007 | “The United Nations and the freedom of press.” |
| Maputo – 2008 | “Celebrating the fundamental principles of press freedom.” |
| Doha – 2009 | “Dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation.” |
| Brisbane – 2010 | “Freedom of information – the right to know”. |
| Washington, D.C. – 2011 | “21st Century Media – New Frontiers, New Barriers”. |
| Tunis – 2012 | “New Voices – Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies” |
| San José – 2013 | “Safe to Speak – Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media”. |
| Paris – 2014 | “Media Freedom for a Better Future: Shaping the post- 2015 Development Agenda”. |
| Riga – 2015 | “Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality, & Media Safety in the Digital Age”. |
| Helsinki – 2016 | “Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms”. |
| Jakarta – 2017 | “Critical Minds for Critical Times – Media’s role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies”. |
| Accra – 2018 | “Keeping Power in Check – Media, Justice and the Ruleof Law” |
World Press Freedom Day 2019 Quotes
Given below are some options for the World Press Day Wishes and Quotes which you can share with your friends and colleagues through Whatsapp and other social media platforms.
As, It is celebrated worldwide to create awareness and make the Government worldwide remember about the Right to Freedom of Expression and the Power of Media.So, if you are also celebrating the World Press Freedom Day, check out our thought on the World Press Freedom Day and share the World Press Freedom Day Quotes with your friends.
” Freedom of the Press is not an end in itself but a means to an end of achieving a society.”
” I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short term weapon.”
” I became a journalist to come as close as possible to the heart of the world.”
” Writing well means never having to say.”
” A good newspaper is I suppose, is a national talking to itself.”
” Journalism could be described as turning one’s enemy into money.”
” The less you know, the more you believe.”
” The sole aim of Journalism should be service.”
” Journalism is what maintains democracy, its the force for progressive social change”
” Journalism is an act of faith in future.”
” Rating does not last, Journalism does.”
” Journalism is in fact in the history on the run.”
” Who ever controls the media controls the mind.”
” Journalism allows its readers to witness history.”
” Wish all the Journalists a very Happy World Press Freedom Day.”
World Press Freedom 2019 Essay
Looking for World Press Freedom Day Essay of 500 Words? Scroll below:
World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on the 3rd May every year all over the world. The origins of the World Press Freedom Day dates back to the year 1993 when the U.N General Assembly officially proclaimed this day to be completed dedicated to the Press and Media. The main aim of the day is to create awareness about the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression and to receive information through any media without any frontiers. It also serves as a day to honor all those journalists and media persons who sacrificed or risked their life to bring out the truth.
The World Press Freedom Day also marks the announcement for the winner of UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. This prize is awarded to the most deserving media person who risked his or her life for defending the Right to Freedom of Opinion. The occasion is hosted by different nations every year on the basis of different kinds of World Press Freedom Day Themes designated by the UNESCO.
The celebration of the World Press Freedom Day dates includes exhibitions, seminars, workshops and many other events that impart knowledge about the concept of media. These events are attended by media persons, journalists, spokespersons from all over the world. These seminars are conducted according to the stipulated theme for the World Press Freedom Day by senior and experienced journalists from the industry.
You can also celebrate the World Press Freedom Theme on your end. One way to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day is to make people about the importance of media and its significance. Another way to celebrate this occasion is to honor all the journalists, editors, writers whom you know. You can host a small occasion at your home and entertain them with plays and shows to let them know how important they are for the development of the country.
As, it is rightly said that ” To Silence Journalists is equivalent to silencing the people as a Whole”. So, even if you are not a part of the media brigade, help in creating awareness about their significance and if you are indeed a journalist, promise to always put front the truth.
If you wish to know more about the World Press Freedom Day, you can check out the below listed sections below.
- World Press Freedom Day History
- Importance of Freedom of Press
- Why is World Press Freedom Day Celebrated
- About UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize
- World Press Freedom Day Index
- World Press Freedom Day Celebration 2019
- How to Celebrate World Press Freedom Day
World Press Freedom Day History
The World Press Freedom Day was declared as so on the 3rd May in the year 1993 after the Windhoek Declaration for the Development of a Free, Independent and Pluralistic Press was passed. This meeting was held in Windhoek, Nambia and thus have been named so. It is a influential paper which denotes the affirmation of International Committee’s strong adherence to the freedom of Press. It is celebrated in different nations every year and this year it will be celebrated in Ethopia. The first World Press Freedom Day Celebration was held in the year 1998 in London with the theme ” Press Freedom is the Cornerstone of Human Rights”. UNESCO also honors a deserving Journalist from around the world with the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize later in the article.
World Press Freedom Day commenced in the year 1998, the affirmation for which was passed by amalgamation of International Committees in 1993 on the 3rd of May. The roots of the World Press Freedom Day arise from the Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights declared by the United Nations General Assembly. Simply put, the article states that everyone in the world has the right to say and express their opinions and impart information through any kind of media regardless of the frontiers.
Importance of Freedom of Press
The Media Industry has become a vital tool for the citizens of a democratic country. The importance of the Press is importance because it plays a very vital role in informing the citizens about various stratas of the society as well as the actions of the government. This way, people can make better and uninfluenced decisions. The Freedom of Press also acts as a compelling force the citizens to work for the betterment of the society.
Why is World Press Freedom Day Celebrated
The main aim behind celebrating the World Press Freedom Day is to spread awareness about the importance of media and press among the citizens of the World. Many kinds of seminars and workshops are held at the event to make people aware about how the power of media is sometime violated and harassed. There have also been many incidences in the past where in a few Media and Press Houses were suspended and fined and even closed down for publishing the truth. The day also honors all those journalists and media researchers who were murdered or harassed for bring news to the world.
UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize
Since the year 1997, The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize is given to the most deserving individual from around the world who worked towards promoting and defending the freedom of expression even if it included risking one’s life. This prize is named afte Guillermo Cano Isaza who was a Colombian Journalist, who worked for El Espectador as an Editor. Unfortunately, his life had an tragic end.
Guillermo Cano Isaza was assassinated by two men right in front of his office for publishing a news regarding and starting a campaign regarding the influence of Drug Traffickers in the Country’s Politics. Thus in 1997, the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize was named after him and he was also named in the list of World Press Freedom Heroes by International Press Institute’s.
World Press Freedom Day Index
Another very important aspect of the World Press Freedom Day is the World Press Freedom Day Index. Simply put, it is the annual ranking given to all the countries of the world based on their respective Press Freedom Records. It is assessed annually by an organization called the Reporters Without Borders. In the list of the World Press Freedom Day Index 2019, the country Norway has bagged the first position out all the 180 countries with a Score of 7.82. Know the recent Word Press Freedom Day Index from the list of the Top 50 Countries enlisted in the World Press Freedom Index 2019 list down below.
World Press Freedom Day Index 2019
| Rank | Country | Score |
| 1 | Norway | 7.82 |
| 2 | Finland | 7.90 |
| 3 | Sweden | 8.31 |
| 4 | Netherlands | 8.63 |
| 5 | Denmark | 9.87 |
| 6 | Switzerland | 10.52 |
| 7 | New Zealand | 10.75 |
| 8 | Jamaica | 11.13 |
| 9 | Belgium | 12.07 |
| 10 | Costa Rica | 12.24 |
| 11 | Astonia | 12.27 |
| 12 | Portugal | 12.63 |
| 13 | Germany | 14.60 |
| 14 | Iceland | 14.71 |
| 15 | Ireland | 15 |
| 16 | Austria | 15.33 |
| 17 | Luxembourg | 15.66 |
| 18 | Canada | 15.69 |
| 19 | Uruguay | 16.06 |
| 20 | Surinam | 16.38 |
| 21 | Australia | 16.55 |
| 22 | Samoa | 18.25 |
| 23 | Namibia | 18.95 |
| 24 | Latvia | 19.53 |
| 25 | Cabo Verde | 19.81 |
| 26 | Liechtenstein | 20.49 |
| 27 | Ghana | 20.81 |
| 28 | Cyprus | 21.74 |
| 29 | Spain | 21.99 |
| 30 | Lithuania | 22.06 |
| 31 | South Africa | 22.19 |
| 32 | France | 22.21 |
| 33 | United Kingdom | 22.23 |
| 34 | Slovenia | 22.31 |
| 35 | Slovakia | 23.58 |
| 36 | Burkina Faso | 24.53 |
| 37 | Andorra | 24.63 |
| 38 | Papua New Guinea | 24.70 |
| 39 | Trinidad and Tobago | 24.74 |
| 40 | Czech Republic | 24.89 |
| 41 | South Korea | 24.94 |
| 42 | Taiwan | 24.98 |
| 43 | Italy | 24.98 |
| 44 | Botswana | 25.09 |
| 45 | Tonga | 25.41 |
| 46 | Chile | 25.61 |
| 47 | Romania | 25.67 |
| 48 | United States | 25.69 |
| 49 | Senegal | 25.81 |
| 50 | OECS | 26.04< /span> |
World Press Freedom Day Celebration 2019
The World Press Freedom Day Celebration will start with the Global Conference 2019 which will commence from the 1st May 2019 and will go on till the 3rd May 2019. As the day celebrates the Freedom of Opinions and Expressions, many seminars and workshops are held for journalists and media persons from all over the world.
This year, World Press Day Freedom Day Celebration in Ethiopia will include Discussions on the Agenda, Practical Information about Journalism and Elections, Current Challenges Faced by Media all over the world. The entire information about the World Press Freedom Day Celebration Itinerary has been given in this PDF, you can go through it and make your plan accordingly.
Day 1 – May 1 – World Press Freedom Day 2019
The World Press Freedom Day will commence on May 1, 2019 at 8:30 am sharp. The celebrations will comprise of Parallel Sessions, Closed Meetings and several Open Events based on Safety of Journalists, Harassment of Women Journalists etc.
Day 2 – May 2 – World Press Freedom Day 2019
The Day 2 of the World Press Freedom Day Celebration will commence with several parallel sessions based on different aspects of Elections. You can enroll yourself in the Open to Public Events only.
Day 3 – May 3 – World Press Freedom Day 2019
On the 3rd day of Celebrations of World Press Freedom Day, many other sessions like Youth News Room, Historic Photo Exhibition wil go hand in hand with workshops and seminars. The closing ceremony of the World Press Freedom Day 2019 will be held on this day and the charge of World Press Freedom Day 2020 will be given to Netherlands.
How to Celebrate World Press Freedom Day?
Celebrate the World Press Freedom Day on this 3rd May 2019 with utmost enthusiasm to pay tribute to all those who have been fighting for bringing in front the truth. The Best Way to celebrate World Press Freedom Day is to create awareness about the freedom of opinions and expressions among those you know. If you have friends who are journalists or working in any media or publication house, you can wish and honor them with World Press Day Wishes and Quotes.
World Press Freedom Day 2020
On the closing ceremony of the World Press Freedom Day will, the Government of Ethiopia along with the African Union Commission together will give the responsibility of World Press Day 2020 to the country Netherlands ( Host Country of World Press Freedom Day 2020. The World Press Freedom Day 2020 will fall on the 3rd May 2020 which is a Sunday. Since, the celebration of the World Press Freedom day 2020 will take place on a holiday, you can celebrate it with pomp and show. The World Press Freedom Day 2020 theme has not been decided yet.
Happy World Press Freedom Day ya all!
