World Press Freedom Day

Each year on May 3, UNESCO celebrates the World Press Freedom Day. Proclaimed in 1993 by the UN General Assembly, following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991, this date celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, and acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics and an occasion to show support for media, which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom.

This year, UNESCO is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence that paved the way to the creation of the World Press Freedom Day. This declaration made in 1991 by African independent journalists, focuses on the importance of a free, independent and pluralistic media. It had a global impact, influencing journalists in other regions of the world to gather and proclaim the same. In the Arab region, the Sana’a Declaration concluded the seminar on Promoting Independent and Pluralistic Arab Media that took place in Yemen in 1996, and reaffirmed the principles proclaimed in the Windhoek Declaration.

This year’s World Press Freedom Day is placed under the theme “Information as a Public Good”. It seeks to highlight the importance of information as a public good and calls to think about what could be done in the production, distribution and reception of content to advance transparency and empowerment. This theme is particularly relevant in our digital era with a rapid evolution of communication systems that have an impact in the different aspect of our life. It is also especially important after the COVID-19 pandemic that was followed by an infodemic that increased threats on our societies and spread defiance at a time when we should all be united.

On behalf of the United Nations Country Team in the State of Kuwait Ms. Hideko Hadzialic, , The United Nations Resident Coordinator ad interim, recognize the efforts the State of Kuwait for the measures put in place using innovative approach and technology to reach out to the wider public including all members of the society considering the diversity. The Ministry of Information launched a number of initiatives and platform to combat fake news, to avoid rumors and misinformation as a tool to verify. Furthermore, the Government of Kuwait is continuously reminding the public and the media to take the government decisions seriously and not listen to rumors, requesting citizens to help not to contribute to their spread. Ms. Hadzialic is also recognizing all the efforts before and during COVID19 pandemic. The United Nations in Kuwait is happy to provide all necessary tools and resources to support the government’s efforts and to coordinate closer collaboration with UN Specialized Agencies such as “the

Role of Media in Promoting Social Cohesion” session and “Empowering Media Professionals on Reporting Responsibly”, focused on promoting ethical and informed journalism, embracing sensitive reporting that is fair and balanced, especially when working with vulnerable groups  and communities such as foreign workers”.

The Ministry of Information affirmed its keenness to promote freedom of the press in Kuwait through its various platforms and support the professionalism of its work, represented by the transfer of local and foreign events to its followers, in a way that guarantees the success of its work while preserving the rights of individuals and preserving their freedoms.

Deputy Minister of Information Ms. Munira Al-Huwaidi says in this joint press statement today Monday: “on the occasion of the celebration of World Press Freedom Day, which falls on the third of May of each year, that the ministry facilitates the procedures for issuing licenses for paper and electronic newspapers and encourages them to do their part by providing honest and distinctive content. Al-Al- Huwaidi added that, to confirm this trend, the ministry signed yesterday evening, Sunday, a cooperation agreement with the Kuwaiti Journalists Association to support Kuwaiti journalists working in Kuwaiti daily, weekly and periodical newspapers to achieve further progress in this important field.”

“She stated that the ministry granted licenses to more than 400 electronic newspapers that are broadcast over the Internet, in addition to tens of newspapers and paper magazines, as well as the working private television and radio channels, considering that the private media is an essential tributary of the Kuwaiti media in addition to the official state media.

 She praised the role of the print, audio, viewing and electronic press in enriching the press and media movement in the country and following up all events to deliver correct information to the recipient on all local, economic, social, health, cultural, artistic, sports and other issues.

 Al-Huwaidi praised the role of the official and private Kuwaiti media in educating citizens and residents on the land of Kuwait during the Corona pandemic that we are living in, urging them to follow health and precautionary measures, as well as encouraging them to take vaccinations for this virus, which contributed to the accurate delivery of these messages. Ms. Al-Huwaidi expressed her wishes for all journalists working in Kuwaiti institutions to achieve more success and distinction in a way that serves the Kuwaiti press and its development through follow-ups, news, analyzes, reports and distinguished journalistic investigations, especially since the history of the Kuwaiti press is known for its leadership in the Gulf and the Arab world for decades.

COVID-19 pandemics increase threats and difficulty for the media industry, forcing closures and journalistic job cuts as well as an increased closing of media outlets. To ensure that information is still available as a “public good”, we need to draw policies to support the viability of free and pluralistic media. Sustainable media can provide citizens with important information that can make a real difference in their lives. Anna Paolini, Director of UNESCO office to the Gulf States and Yemen, highlighted the fact that “COVID-19 reminded us how critical information is in our lives. In times of crisis, information becomes a matter of death or life.” She insisted on the fundamental importance to “ensure free access to information to build knowledge societies”. 

If we consider information as public good, the way information is shared and promoted should be more transparent and public accountability should be supported. In our digital world, citizens can get easily access to information through social media and online platforms, but this does not go without any risks. Indeed, online disinformation and hate speech, the lack of control from internet companies globally, threatens not only the available information quality but also erodes the public trust in media and can be even more dangerous in case of conflicts and pandemics. Internet companies should play their part in supporting journalism by prioritizing professional journalistic content and being more transparent about the way they promote information and fight against disinformation.

Media and Information Literacy (MIL) plays a central role in our support to media development and to ensure access to information. Indeed, citizens must have the tools and be able to recognize disinformation and avoid sharing unverified and biased information. They should become defenders of information and be part of the control process of its quality by supporting verified sources of information and informed analysis.

Freedom of the press and freedom of expression are at the core of UNESCO’s mandate: our organization strongly believes that those freedoms are critical to mutual understanding and to build a sustainable peace. Progress depends on having a free, pluralistic and independent press and urgent action must be taken to support the right to information, and to protect journalists that are at the very source of its production, and whom too often face harassment, attacks, and detention. This day is also a tribute to all the journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession, and commit to defend media freedom.