The Nepal Weekly 
May 7, 2024
Press Freedom Day highlights the fundamental principles of press freedom, which is observed annually on May 3. It gives people a chance to think about how important free media are to society.
The public must be informed of the truth by the media. But, they frequently face difficulties in conducting their duties, in the form of threats, violence and restrictions. It is critical that both the public and the government understand this and make an environment that encourages journalists and the press to carry out their responsibilities in the most moral manner possible.
Press Freedom Day is observed annually to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by journalists and the tasks they perform to maintain the smooth flow of information. Additionally, it serves as a reminder that being a journalist is not an easy job.
World Press Freedom Day is significant for bringing attention to the significance of press freedom in a society. Its purpose is to guarantee that the general public has access to information and that the government respects the people’s right to free speech.
This day also aims to bring attention to the difficulties that journalists and media organisations all over the world face, such as threats, censorship, and violence.
“A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis” is the theme of World Press Freedom Day 2024. The theme of World Press Freedom Day changes every year.
• Informing the public about the problems and solutions facing the environment.
• Holding corporations and governments to accept responsibility for environmental actions.
• Influencing concrete action to address pressing environmental problems like climate change.
Press Freedom Day, also called World Press Freedom Day, was laid out by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, following a proposal adopted at the UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991.
The Windhoek Declaration on promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press, which was adopted in Windhoek, Namibia, in 1991, was celebrated on May 3. This statement focused on the significance of a free, independent, and pluralistic press as a fundamental part of democracy and development.
In 2024, World Press Freedom Day is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.
Awareness of all aspects of the global environmental crisis and its consequences is essential to build democratic societies. Journalistic work is indispensable for this purpose.
Journalists encounter significant challenges in seeking and disseminating information on contemporary issues, such as supply-chains problems, climate migration, extractive industries, illegal mining, pollution, poaching, animal trafficking, deforestation, or climate change. Ensuring the visibility of these issues is crucial for promoting peace and democratic values worldwide.
In the context of the world’s triple planetary crisis —climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution— dis-/misinformation campaigns challenge knowledge and scientific research methods. Attacks on the validity of science pose a serious threat to pluralistic and informed public debate. Indeed, misleading and false information about climate change can, in some cases, undermine international efforts to address them.
Dis-/misinformation about environmental issues can lead to a lack of public and political support for climate action, effective policies, and the protection of vulnerable communities affected by climate change, as well as of women and girls, as climate change tends to exacerbate existing inequalities.
To achieve sustainable development, it is necessary for journalists to report accurately, timely, and comprehensively on environmental issues and their consequences, as well as on possible solutions. (Agencies)
