ISLAMABAD: World Press Freedom Day is being observed today (Saturday) across the globe, including Pakistan, to highlight the importance of press freedom and freedom of expression as essential human rights.
This year’s global theme is “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” focusing on how AI is reshaping journalism and media practices.
The day serves to honor journalists who have risked or lost their lives while reporting and to acknowledge their critical role in safeguarding democracy.
Commemorative events around the world include art exhibits, award ceremonies, and keynote sessions to celebrate and support courageous media professionals.
World Press Freedom Day was established by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the 1991 Windhoek Seminar in Namibia, which produced the Windhoek Declaration promoting independent and pluralistic media.
Since 1997, UNESCO has awarded the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize annually to individuals or organizations defending freedom of expression—often at great personal risk. The prize honors the legacy of Guillermo Cano, a journalist assassinated in 1986 for exposing drug cartels.
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