Young man reading newspaper in Dili, Timor-Leste. Photo by Martine Perret.
"On World Press Freedom Day, I call for an end to all crackdowns against journalists – because a free press advances peace and justice for all." — António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
2017 Theme: Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media’s role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference. Since then, 3 May, 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;
- and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Read more about this year's themes in the Concept note 
The 2018 theme is ‘Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law.’