The message is clear: 3 May is a day to celebrate hard-won press freedoms, but also to recognise how fragile those victories remain.
The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) is providing a wide range of free-to-publish multimedia materials for newspapers and other media to publish on or around 3 May, to remind their audiences about the importance of press freedom and its essential role in society.
Thousands of newspapers publish WAN-IFRA materials each year to remind readers of the central role a free press plays in democracy and in economic, cultural, social and political development.
Newspapers worldwide are encouraged to view and download all or part of the materials, which are being offered in English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic and Russian but can be translated into other languages.
"Press freedom is challenged worldwide, whether by extreme violence as in Mexico, financial penalties like in Argentina, or threatened legislation as in the UK," said Vincent Peyrègne, CEO of WAN-IFRA. "World Press Freedom Day is an occasion to acknowledge the universal importance of free expression, even in places where such rights may be taken for granted, as well as an opportunity to remind ourselves that we must remain vigilant and do everything we can to protect freedom of the press."
The package of materials includes an exclusive editorial from WAN-IFRA; provocative cartoons from some of the world's leading artists in collaboration with French NGO Cartooning for Peace; a package of resources analysing the killing of journalists; and advertisements from award-winning design team Iris Worldwide.
Other materials include infographics that draw attention to the world's most dangerous areas for journalists and resources for young readers to explore freedom of expression issues in class. More information for students and teachers can be found on the site.
Between now and 3 May, exclusive content will be added, so be sure to check the site regularly for the latest updates.
WAN-IFRA's World Press Freedom Day initiative is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and benefits from contributions by Agence France-Presse, Cartooning for Peace, Iris Worldwide, Sanjeev Saikia and the Russian Guild of Press Publishers (GIPP).
