Today, May 3 is World Press Freedom Day. This time the theme of the day is ‘Information as a Public Good’.

In accordance with the recommendations of the 26th General Assembly of UNESCO in 1991, the UN General Assembly in 1993 recognized May 3 as World Press Freedom day. Since then the day is being celebrated all over the world. Journalists have been celebrating this day.

Freedom of the press, adherence to the basic principles of the media, evaluation of the freedom of the media around the world, remembrance of the journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty and their memory are honored on the day.

A message from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was broadcast on Sunday (May 2nd) on the occasion of the day from the United Nations Office in Dhaka.

“The global challenges we have faced during the Covid-19 epidemic have identified a reliable, verified and universal role in building lives, building a strong, stable society,” the UN secretary-general said in a statement to the media, titled “30 Years of the Windhoek Declaration”. During epidemics and other crises, including climatic emergencies, journalists and media workers help us uncover rapidly changing and often irresistible information, including addressing harmful mistakes and lies.

He added that journalism is a public resource. The economic impact of the epidemic has hit many media outlets hard, threatening their very existence. In addition, with the budget crisis, it is becoming difficult to get reliable information. Rumors, lies and final or divided opinions are growing to fill this void. I urge all governments to do everything in their power to support a free, independent and versatile media.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of the day, various programmes will be held in Bangladesh at government and private levels. On Monday at 3 pm, a seminar on freedom of expression and the press will be organized by the human rights organization ‘Nagarik’. The affected journalists, artists, teachers and activists will take part in the discussion.