Cambodian journalists from different media organisations and other stakeholders gathered here this morning to mark the World Press Freedom Day 2019.
This event was presided over by H.E. Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information with local speakers from traditional and new media practitioners in attendance.
This year’s commemoration took place under the theme “Media’s potential role in supporting peace and democracy”.
Three fundamental factors for potential media – Smart journalists, Smart authority, and Smart citizens (S3) – were touched upon on the occasion.
Every year, May 3 celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, and is an occasion to encourage and develop initiatives that foster freedom of expression, and its corollaries, press freedom and freedom of information. Freedom of the press and freedom of expression allow for mutual understanding to build sustainable peace.
World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991. Globally, this year, the main celebration of WPFD 2019 takes place in Addis Ababa, from May 1 to 3. Around 100 national events around the world are expected to complement the main celebration.
WPFD is a day of reflection for governments and media professionals across the word on issues related to press freedom and professional ethics in media.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press