WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2021

Today on the 3rd of May we commemorate World Press Freedom Day observed annually by UNESCO. The theme for 2021is “Information as a Public Good” – it is a reminder of the vital role of the media, especially during a crisis such as COVID-19. The media provides credible news and information and calls power to account to the public.

This year’s theme also emphasizes the importance of a free press for developing and maintaining democracy in a nation, as well as economic development.It also gives us an opportunity to;

• reflect on media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
• Celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom
• Defend the media from attacks on their independence
• Pay tribute to media professionals who lost their lives in the line of duty.
• Enhance media and information literacy capabilities that enable people to recognize and value, as well as defend and demand journalism as vital part of information as a public good.

Chapter 2 section 16 of the South African Constitution states that ‘’everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expressions. This includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference as well as to seek and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers’’.