WAN-IFRA’s flagship press freedom campaign, 3 May World Press Freedom Day, looks to highlight the critical importance of an issue that lies at the very heart of our industry: freedom of expression.

Without this freedom, our democratic societies lose their very essence and become un-worthy of the name. The freedom to criticize and hold those in power to account is a right that a free press – by its very existence – upholds daily in every corner of the globe. This right underpins all of our most valued human rights, and the ability of a free press to ensure that our voices are heard should be vigorously defended wherever it is threatened.

WAN-IFRA’s 3 May World Press Freedom Day campaign is designed to aid newspapers in engaging with their readers to celebrate freedom of expression and explore the issues that jeopardize this most basic of human rights.

In the lead up to 3 May we provide members with a range of materials to stimulate debate, including opinion pieces penned by prominent global figures, exclusive artwork and cartoons, striking photographs selected in conjunction with Agence France-Presse (AFP), and infographics that reveal the sobering reality facing journalists, editors and publishers around the world in their ongoing struggle for a free and independent press.

We invite you to visit our campaign website [www.worldpressfreedomday.org] to download and publish our exclusive multi-lingual content on or around 3 May. Many publications cover the issues in their own way, and we encourage you to send us your efforts [andrew.heslop@wan-ifra.org] so that we can share ideas among the global newspaper community.

WAN-IFRA has worked tirelessly since 1948 to defend and promote press freedom and freedom of expression. With the help and support of our members worldwide we strive to ensure a free and independent press is given the best conditions to flourish. Join us on 3 May to celebrate the advances and highlight what is still to be achieved in making press freedom a reality, for everyone.