World Press Freedom Day 2015 - IFEX

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World Press Freedom Day 2015

IFEX's brief guide to World Press Freedom Day, one of the most important days honouring free expression

Also available in: Français Español عربي

Spotlight: International

Press freedom stories from around the world: The good, the bad, and the ugly

29 April 2015

To mark World Press Freedom Day, take a tour of some events that are chilling - or warming - the climate for free media in countries around the globe.

WAN-IFRA World Press Freedom Day Editorial 2015

Since 1992, 1122 journalists have been killed in the line of duty. WAN-IFRA reflects on the numbers, and what they mean for journalists working today.

State of the media in SADC under the microscope

Oppressive governments understand the power of images. Last year, photojournalists and other media workers capturing photos and video were targeted by authorities trying to control the media. MISA has launched their 2015 edition of So This Is Democracy? with the theme "photojournalists under fire."

Assuring journalists' safety and independence

The continuing killing of journalists and media workers and impunity for those who kill remains the biggest threat to media freedom in the Philippines, says CMFR.

Strengthen press freedom to promote independent media

Cambodian media and civil society groups call on the government to protect a pluralistic and independent media sector and allow journalism to thrive.

Attacks on the Press

In its annual assessment of press freedom worldwide, CPJ finds journalists caught between terrorists and anti-terrorists. The press is abducted or killed by militants and surveilled, censored, or imprisoned by governments.

IFJ denounces war on journalism ahead of World Press Freedom Day 2015

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) highlights repressive press laws, arbitrary detention and killings as some of the many fronts from which journalism has come under attack.

Women in media: Ten women killed for their work as journalists (1990-2014)

Despite the preeminence of women in the newsrooms, women journalists continue to be subjected to harassment, threats and attacks. This World Press Freedom Day, CMFR pays tribute to them and examines the issue of gender and media in the Philippines.

New Challenges, Familiar Tragedies – 3 May, World Press Freedom Day 2015

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the World Editors Forum appeal for improved physical protections for journalists, an end to censorship and other pressures facing news media as World Press Freedom Day marks yet another tragic year for the profession.

Combating the Multiplying Challenges to the Right of Free Expression

We live in an age where news and information is flowing at a faster rate, to more parts of the planet, than ever before. Yet challenges posed to the right of freedom of expression are increasing at an equivalent rate, with cases reported daily of censorship, legal harassment, physical threat, and—only somewhat less frequently—the ultimate silencer, murder.

Dunja Mijatović: The good fight must continue

As part of a their series on the state of media freedom across the globe ahead of World Press Freedom Day, Index on Censorship features a perspective from OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović.

World Press Freedom Day highlights concerns about state of free expression in Canada

The slow but steady chill on free expression in Canada is chipping away at the fundamental rights enshrined in Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, says Canadian Journalists for Free Expression.

Tunisia: World Press Freedom Day

Violence against journalists and legislative threats to freedom of expression must be priorities for the Tunisian government in 2015, says ARTICLE 19.

On World Press Freedom Day and journalists' safety

CPJ Advocacy Director Courtney Radsch reflects on UNESCO's theme for World Press Freedom Day 2015, "Let Journalism Thrive!", and what it means for media professionals caught in a terror dynamic in which they are both targeted by militants and increasingly censored by states purporting to respond to terrorism.

MEAA on the state of press freedom in Australia in last 12 months

In the words of the MEAA CEO Paul Murphy, "This has been a dire 12 months for the state of press freedom in Australia - for journalists, for the communities we serve and for sources that trust us to tell their stories."

AMARC launches international legal protection program for community broadcasters

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2015, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) launches its legal protection and global advocacy program for the community media sector.

Turn Around and Go Back

ANHRI and the Maharat Foundation have announced the launch of their new report on the internet in the Arab world, Turn Around and Go Back, as well as a campaign to endorse Arab prisoners of conscience.

Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and Responses to Conflict Situation

Special rapporteurs on freedom of expression from four regional and international bodies jointly call for better protections for media professionals at the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day conference in Riga, Latvia.

On #WPFD2015, attacks on press increasingly deadly

Few will argue that the world is witnessing one of the most sustained assaults on free press and free expression in recent history, says International Press Institute Executive Board Chair John Yearwood.

"Reasons for hope" IAPA president's message on World Press Freedom Day

Despite the obstacles to free expression and the atrocities committed against journalists and the news media, there is an air of hope for the Americas this World Press Freedom Day, says Inter American Press Association President Gustavo Mohme.

ASEAN: A region gagged by law

Issues of media restrictions, control and violence against journalists prevailed for most ASEAN countries in 2015, says SEAPA in a special World Press Freedom Day regional overview.

Dispatches: Why World Press Freedom Day matters

Human Rights Watch Communications Director Emma Daly outlines the risks facing journalists in conflict zones and repressive regimes, and explains why silencing journalists hurts us all.

PINA president statement on World Press Freedom Day

Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) President Moses Stevens makes an urgent appeal for improved welfare and security of media workers in the Pacific in his World Press Freedom Day address.

A reporter dies, thousands directly affected

As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, media workers in Nepal are mourning the deaths of thousands of their fellow citizens. Freedom Forum marked the day with the launch of a special report on the state of press freedom across the country.

Pacific press needs funds for freedom

Pacific media face the same problems as the international press – shrinking numbers and declining support as the world marks 100 years since the onset of global conflict.

Message from FNJ President Dr. Mahendra Bista on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day

On World Press Freedom Day, the Federation of Nepali Journalists pays tribute to all those who lost their lives in the devastating earthquake of a week ago, and offers its heartfelt condolences to those grieving the loss of their relatives.

ACM Statement: World Press Freedom Day 2015

In its World Press Freedom Day statement, the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) highlights emerging challenges to free expression in the region, including excessive delays in implementing access to information legislation and repealing criminal defamation laws.

Statement from four Thai media organizations

IFEX member Thai Journalists Association (TJA) joins voices with three other Thai media organizations on World Press Freedom Day in an appeal for professionalism and restraint in an increasingly polarized media environment.

The MFWA calls for professionalism, gender equality, and digital safety awareness in the media

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) joins the world in commemorating press freedom under this year’s theme: "Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality, and Media Safety in the Digital Age."

On World Press Freedom Day, Human Rights Watch honours writers, activists

For the second edition of its HUMAN magazine, Human Rights Watch highlights some of the many accomplishments over 25 years of the Hellman-Hammett program for aiding writers in trouble. Many writers throughout the world continue to risk their freedom, and often their lives, by refusing to remain silent in the face of repression.

Highlights

Let Journalism Thrive: On courage, resilience, and finding a way

We honour the bravery of journalists who face obstacles head on, and the ingenuity they show in getting around them. But journalists themselves cannot - and should not - be press freedom's only line of defense.

Not in our name: World Press Freedom Day 116 days after Charlie Hebdo

On World Press Freedom Day, organisations from around the globe commit to defending the right to freedom of expression, even when that right is being used to express views that may be offensive.

Profile: Mazen Darwish

Mazen Darwish is a renowned Syrian lawyer and advocate for free expression, internationally recognized as an invaluable source of information on the conflict in his country.

Voices from our Network

More from

Nepal: A reporter dies, thousands directly affected

(*The As the world is marking World Press Freedom Day today (May 3, 2015), Nepali media is grief-stricken, mourning over the deaths of thousands of Nepalis with slim hopes of finding anyone alive nine days after the destructive earthquake. Freedom Forum normally marks this day with the production of a report on press freedom across the country and other programs. But, this time, this report on 'media in a disaster' is unavoidable.

Freedom Forum 4 May 2015
Going after whistleblowers, going after journalism: The report into the state of press freedom in Australia in 2015

Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, International Federation of Journalists 1 May 2015
UNESCO World Press Freedom Day 2015: Let Journalism Thrive

IFEX 30 April 2015
Journalism safety: Threats to media workers and measures to protect them

IFEX 30 April 2015

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