Press Freedom Day 2022

Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) is alarmed at the sharp deterioration of press freedom caused by the war in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the year, 52 media workers have paid with their lives for doing their job. In Russia, the Kremlin’s controls have created a regression in media space unprecedented since the communist era.

On the occasion of Press Freedom Day on 3 May, the PEC is making an urgent appeal for a halt to hostilities in Ukraine and for the independence of the media in Russia to be respected.

Credit: UNESCO

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, has been celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.

May 3 acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It 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.