World Press Freedom Day 2005

World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity to remind the world of the importance of protecting the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and freedom of the press, as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Without these rights, democracy cannot prevail and development remains unattainable.

The seminar was held with the participation of representatives from academia, media and civil society organizations, journalists from the local printed press and broadcast media, as well as civil society organisations.

Following the opening, two sessions were held that addressed a variety of issues and indeed posed more questions, than found answers in relation to freedom of expression and in particular press freedom.

Focus was put on the safety of reporters working in Iraq, both local and foreign. UNESCO has an important role in supporting all media professionals in being able to carry out their profession without any fear, as well as in securing a free and independent press in the country.

Independent, free and pluralistic media have a crucial role to play in the good governance of democratic societies, by ensuring transparency and accountability, promoting participation and the Rule of Law, and contributing to the fight against poverty.

Being the final activity of the project “Support for fair, safe & professional media election coverage”, the World Press Freedom Day event confirmed the importance of addressing freedom of expression, press freedom and good governance in democracy-building.

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UNESCO is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom. Article 1 of its Constitution requires the Organization to “further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.” To realize this purpose the Organization is required to “collaborate in the work of advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples, through all means of mass communication and to that end recommend such international agreements as may be necessary to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image…”