World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), celebrated annually on May 3rd, is a vital event that brings global attention to the importance of press freedom. Initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this annual celebration has this year adopted the theme, “Information as a Public Good.”
Origins of WPFD
The decision to proclaim World Press Freedom Day was made by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation from UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991. The day coincides with the 1991 Windhoek Declaration, an important milestone adopted by UNESCO that aimed for the ‘development of a free, independent and pluralistic press.’
Highlights of WPFD 2021
Several key issues took center stage during WPFD 2021: the economic viability of news media; ensuring transparency amongst Internet companies; and enhancing Media and Information Literacy (MIL) capacities. The latter emphasizes the critical role of journalism and reinforces its recognition, value, defense and demand as an integral aspect of information serving as a public good.
World Press Conference 2021
UNESCO and the Government of Namibia co-hosted the Global Conference 2021. A key focus was the threat of extinction faced by local news media around the world, which has been accelerated by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Strategies were proposed to combat challenges in the online media environment, improve transparency of internet companies, ensure safer conditions for journalists, and enhance their working conditions.
The Freedom of Press in India
In India, while there’s no explicit legal protection for press freedom, it is impliedly safeguarded under Article 19(1) (a) of the Indian Constitution. This provision assures every citizen the right to freedom of speech and expression. As early as 1950, the Supreme Court in Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras asserted that press freedom forms the bedrock of all democratic organizations. However, restrictions under Article 19(2) apply to matters relating to the sovereignty and integrity of India, state security, foreign relations, public decorum and legal considerations.
State of Press Freedom in India
Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), or Reporters Without Borders, in their World Press Freedom Index, 2021, has ranked India 142nd out of 180 nations. Other reports like ‘Freedom in the World 2021 (Freedom House, US)’, ‘2020 Human Rights Report (US State Department)’, and ‘Autocratisation Goes Viral (V-Dem Institute, Sweden)’ have underscored ongoing intimidation of journalists in India.
