Know the Purpose and theme WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
Celebration Date: May 3 every year
Established: By the United Nations in 1993
Origin: Commemorates the Windhoek Declaration (1991) for independent and pluralistic media
YEAR-WISE THEMES
2025: “Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law”
2024: “Journalism Under Digital Siege”
2023: “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression and the Digital Age”
2022: “Journalism Under Digital Siege”
2021: “Information as a Public Good”
2020: “Journalism without Fear or Favor”
2019: “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation”
2018: “Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law”
2017: “Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media’s Role in Advancing Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies”
2016: “Critical Minds for Critical Times”
2015: “Knowledge as Power – Free Press and Sustainable Development”
2014: “Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms”
2013: “Emergency in Media Freedom: Fake News, Censorship and Social Media”
2012: “Safe Access to Information”
2011: “100 Years after World War I: Journalism and Democracy”
2010: “Media Freedom and Pluralism”
2009: “Media, Conflict and Peace”
2008: “Community Media and Freedom of Expression”
2007: “Safety of Journalists: A Priority for All”
2006: “Freedom of the Media: No Compromise”
2005: “Media in Conflict Zones”
2004: “Freedom of Expression: A Human Right for All”
2003: “Freedom of Information and Democracy”
2002: “Media and Conflict”
2001: “Media Responsibility and Human Rights”
2000: “Promoting Press Freedom and Good Governance”
1999: “Promoting a Free and Pluralistic Media”
1998: “Media and Democracy”
1997: “Free Press, Free Society”
1996: “The Role of the Media in Building Peace”
1995: “Freedom of the Press and Human Rights”
1994: “Freedom of the Press and Democracy”
1993: “Celebrating the Right to Know”
