World Press Freedom Day being observed today

World Press Freedom Day is being observed today  (May 3) to highlight the importance of freedom of the press and fundamental principles of press.

 Theme of this year is Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media’s role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies.

Last year Pakistan was ranked the fourth most dangerous country in the world for journalists, with a total of 115 killings since 1990 in  a report issued by International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Pakistan is rated “Not Free” in the Freedom of the Press Index 2016, and is ranked 147th out of 195 countries and territories worldwide. According to the Report, journalists in Pakistan experience official attempts to restrict critical reporting, as well as high levels of violence from both State and non-State actors.

The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day[  to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in 1991.