World Press Freedom Day marked today

Chisinau, 3 May /MOLDPRES/- Every year, on 3 May World Press Freedom Day is celebrated around the world, marking the fundamental principles of press freedom and paying tribute to journalists who lost their lives while practicing the profession.

This day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation adopted at the XXVI session of the UNESCO General Conference in 1991.

In his message, addressed on the World Press Day, Prime Minister Ion Chicu says that over the years many things have changed. The press has become a real industry in which the spirit of competition dominates, and the spread of internet access has opened up unlimited opportunities for information and free expression.

"Today, we live in times when access to information is wider than ever, much wider than we could have imagined a decade ago. I appreciate the work of journalists who sincerely and unconditionally bring the truth into people's homes. We live in a time when the media industry has become a producer of information and competition requires media sources to look for ways to stand out in order to capture readers' attention. We live in times when the news has become a commodity and the production of the news aims more and more in the creation of sensational stories, and less and less it takes into account the truth or relevance ”, he said.

Chicu said that in 1993 one of the goals pursued by the free press was the elimination of censorship, which causes misinformation of society by limiting access to information.

"In our times, misinformation is done through the daily production of a huge volume of information, where the quality and veracity of the news suffers. This stage of development of the media can be dedicated to creating a system of incentives that will increase the quality and authenticity of news. Today, media workers need much more knowledge, sense of observation and a strong instinct for truth. Dear journalists, reporters, editors and all the other specialists involved in producing the news. Congratulations on your professional holiday. I wish you inspiration for identifying socially important topics, energy to reach the truth and a strong instinct for truth ", he said.

In 2020, the theme of the global campaign that UNESCO is launching on the media and social media channels, emphasizes "Journalism without fear or favors" in an increasingly complex media landscape. The organization also pays attention to topics such as: ensuring the safety of journalists, both women and men and media workers, supporting independent and professional media activity, without political and commercial involvement, respecting gender equality in all aspects of the media.

Under the conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic, UNESCO recommends that the marking of World Press Freedom Day at national and local level, worldwide, be held in the form of online debates and workshops.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands (Netherlands) is hosting events dedicated to World Press Freedom Day 2020. The conference, which was originally scheduled for 22-24 April in The Hague, was rescheduled for 18-20 October. Then there will be a joint celebration of World Press Freedom Day (3 May) and the International Day for the conclusion of impunity for crimes against journalists (2 November). The decision to postpone the conference was taken to reduce the costs and risks for all involved, following the decision of the World Health Organization to declare COVID-19 a global pandemic.