Today on May 3rd, 284Media joins the wider media fraternity in observing World Press Freedom Day.
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.
After 30 years, the historic connection made between the freedom to seek, impart and receive information and the public good remains as relevant as it was at the time of its signing. Special commemorations of the 30th anniversary are planned to take place during World Press Freedom Day International Conference.
May 3 acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.
We touched base with Acting Director of Communications Karia Christopher this morning discuss this topic. Christopher, who has been very transparent about ongoing efforts to better the relationship between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the local press, reiterated this commitment and its importance to the functions of both sides.
She shared that a recent success in this journey has been taking a personal step to plant seeds of open communication with media houses across the territory.
Christopher, a journalist herself, also reflected on the importance of clear policies to guide both sides of the discussion. She stressed the importance of minimizing restrictions to the press while maintaining national security. She also reflected on the importance to review such guidelines often.
World Press Freedom day is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. It 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.
In 2024, World Press Freedom Day is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.
Awareness of all aspects of the global environmental crisis and its consequences is essential to build democratic societies. Journalistic work is indispensable for this purpose.
To achieve sustainable development, it is necessary for journalists to report accurately, timely, and comprehensively on environmental issues and their consequences, as well as on possible solutions.