It is a day set aside by United Nations General Assembly to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom; assess the state of press freedom throughout the world; defend the media from attacks on their independence; and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The theme of this year’s celebration titled “A Press for the planet: Journalism in the face of the environmental crisis” is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis and it’s consequences in building democratic societies.
Speaking on the essence of the occasion, the first female Professor of Mass Communication in sub Saharan Africa and former Anambra Commissioner for Information, Budget and Economic Planning, Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna called on authorities to actualize the various pledges towards improved welfare and working conditions for Nigerian Journalists to enable them compare favourably with their counter-parts in other parts of the world.
She however urged journalists to work within the confines of the ethics of the profession and guard against unethical practices in the face of misinformation and propaganda being projected by the influx of social media.
On his part, Dr Ifeanyi Obiefuna of the Angel Network News asked the organized private sector to assist by contributing towards putting in place structures like press centres, vehicles and other facilities that enhance the work of journalists.
He told politicians at all levels to engage the services of professional journalists to handle their information office and public relations units.
Correspondent OGEMDI OZOEMENAM reports that World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 1993 through a recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference held in Windhoek Namibia in 1991.###
