ANNUAL WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

Beginning in 2013 each year Africa Agenda has led the celebration of World Press Freedom Day in Denver.

The day is celebrated on May 3 each year. It is set aside by UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) to recognize the contributions of journalists and bloggers to freedom of expression in Africa. The day also focuses on the importance of internet freedom as a foundation for international development.

Africa Agenda’s World Press Freedom Day events focus on supporting freedom of expression in Africa and what the future holds for the continent in terms of digital transformation into cell phones, the internet, and democracy.

World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference. Since then, May 3, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.

It is an opportunity 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;
• pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

According to Africa Agenda founder, George Bamu, the purpose is to honor the many men and women who provide vital news and information to the African people and continent.