Admin l Friday, May 03, 2019
VATICAN CITY, Rome – Pope Francis has called for a free and unhindered journalism in the service of truth, goodness and justice. Pope Francis spoke to mark Word Press Freedom Day.
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993. It was based on recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference in Windhoek. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.
Word Press Freedom Day is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom;assess the state of press freedom throughout the world; defend the media from attacks on their independence;and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The theme for 2019 is Media for Democracy: Journalism and election in times of disinformation.
The 26th celebration of World Press Freedom Day is jointly organized by UNESCO, the African Union Commission and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
The main event will take place in Addis Ababa, on 1 – 3 May at the African Union Headquarters.
Speaking on the theme, Pope Francis said “we need a journalism that is free, at the service of truth, goodness, and justice; a journalism that helps build a culture of encounter. #DefendMediaFreedom”, he said.
