Press freedom, safety of journalists and impunity will be the topics of UNESCO World Press Freedom Day 2007. Due to the 10th anniversary of UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize, this year’s World Press Freedom Day will be celebrated in the city of Medellin, Colombia. The murder of Guillermo Cano, director of the Colombian daily newspaper “El Espectador,” is significant as regards unpunished crimes against journalists. Guillermo Cano Isaza was assassinated on December 17, 1986 in front of the newspaper’s exit in Bogota by two hired killers. Cano was a victim of drug trafficking mafias, which he fearlessly denounced and about whose harmful effects on Colombian society he cautioned. The magistrates in charge of the investigation became the objects of threats and bribes, with some being murdered for rejecting such bribes. The life of Guillermo Cano, his courage, his commitment to independent journalism and the tenacity with which he fought for his country are an example for the rest of the world to follow. >> Read more

Safety of journalists

The Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Barometer proves that countries involved in violent conflict are dangerous places for media professionals – with 37 journalists killed in Iraq since the beginning of 2006, 3 in Sri Lanka and Colombia, 2 in Afghanistan. But also the figures from countries like Mexico, Russia the Philippines and China show that the lives of journalists are threatened even in states that do not have discernible war zones. >> Read more

Impunity of crimes committed against journalists

"Freedom of expression and of the press are severely limited by murder, kidnapping, pressure, intimidation, the unjust imprisonment of journalists, the destruction of facilities, violence of any kind and impunity for perpetrators; such acts must be investigated promptly and punished harshly " >> Read more

31-01-2008 (Paris) 

UNESCO releases "Press freedom: safety of journalists and impunity"

03-12-2007 (Paris) 

UNESCO launches World Press Freedom Prize 2008

31-05-2007 (Montevideo) 

Conference on Press Freedom, Safety of Journalists and Impunity in MERCOSUR

30-05-2007 (Kathmandu) 

Launch of publication on the state of press freedom in Nepal

15-05-2007 (New Delhi) 

Journalists observe World Press Freedom Day in Maldives

14-05-2007 (Apia) 

Press freedom alive and well in the Pacific!

11-05-2007 (Addis Ababa) 

Workshop on press freedom in Ethiopia

10-05-2007 (Paris) 

Media professionals from around the world adopt Medellin Declaration on Safety of Journalists and Combating Impunity

10-05-2007 (Kabul) 

Afghan Media Marks 3rd May “World Press Freedom Day”

07-05-2007 (Almaty) 

World Press Freedom Day in Kazakhstan promotes open dialogue between journalists and UN agencies

04-05-2007 (New York) 

World Press Freedom Day celebrated by UNESCO's New York Office

03-05-2007 (Paris) 

UNESCO observes World Press Freedom Day 2007 in Medellin, Colombia, focusing on safety of journalists

30-04-2007 (Amman) 

World Press Freedom Day workshop to debate safety of journalists and impunity

26-04-2007 (Kingston) 

Caribbean journalists to observe World Press Freedom Day 2007

23-04-2007 (London) 

World Press Freedom Day in the United Kingdom

11-04-2007 (Paris) 

UNESCO launches World Press Freedom Day 2007 website in Arabic

30-03-2007 (Paris) 

2007 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize awarded posthumously to Russian reporter Anna Politkovskaya

02-02-2007 (Paris) 

World Press Freedom Day 2007 website now online

Sylvie Coudray

Senior Programme Specialist

Brigitte L'Horty

Assistant