U.S. Embassy Monrovia Celebrates World Press Freedom Day
U.S. Embassy Monrovia Celebrates World Press Freedom Day
Monrovia, Liberia – The U.S. Embassy celebrates World Press Freedom Day today, May 3, because an independent media is an essential pillar of responsive and accountable democracies. Journalism plays a crucial role in combatting corruption, drawing attention to human rights abuses, and providing the public with accurate information.
On May 3, 1991, a group of African journalists and media professionals attending a conference in Namibia issued the Windhoek Declaration for the Development of a Free, Independent and Pluralistic Press, which established fundamental press freedom principles (read more: https://www.un.org/en/observances/press-freedom-day). World Press Freedom Day was born, and now 30 years later, these principles and the importance of press independence are as relevant as ever. Freedom of expression remains under threat in many parts of the world as authoritarian regimes use intimidation of the media and internet shutdowns, among other tactics, to prevent criticism, accountability, and transparency.