World Press Freedom Day

Today May 3, is World Free Press Day. According to the recommendation of the 26th General Conference of UNESCO in 1991, the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 recognized May 3 as World Press Freedom Day.

This year's theme of the day is 'A Press for the Planet: Jounalism in the Face of the Environment Crisis.' Bangladesh, like other nations, marks the day with a range of programs. Journalists in the country organize events to advocate for their professional rights and uphold their dignity on this significant occasion.

The newspaper is the oldest and most important medium of information flow in the world as mass media. Later, radio and television were added as popular media. In the age of modern information technology, online news portals have created a strong position among readers.

In essence, free media entails that journalists can carry out their professional duties without facing harassment or violence. They can work without fear, with unrestricted access to information.

The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognized the importance of freedom of expression and the press. Article 19 states, "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media, regardless of borders."

The constitution of Bangladesh ensures freedom of thought, conscience, and speech. Article 39 guarantees: (1) Freedom of thought and conscience. (2) The right to freedom of speech and expression for citizens, subject to reasonable legal restrictions for state security, foreign relations, public order, decency, morality, contempt of court, libel, or incitement to crime, and (b) Freedom of the press.

The newspaper, or mass media, is called the fourth pillar of a state. Therefore, one of the prerequisites for the establishment of democracy in a country is to ensure freedom of expression. It also plays a key role in establishing good governance.

The government bears the responsibility of ensuring journalists can fulfill their duties safely and without obstruction, thereby strengthening the media as the fourth pillar of the state. And without the true freedom of journalists, free media is far defeated.

Newspapers are called the mirrors of society. Newspapers don't just deliver news. It also plays a special role in the overall development of society. Newspapers are the ever-vigilant guardians of democracy. When human rights are violated, democracy is disrupted, and there is corruption, the media is the first to speak out. The role of newspapers in advancing society towards positive development by creating awareness against various social ills like superstition is undeniable.

In the present era, numerous social media platforms, including unregulated ones like Facebook, YouTube, and X, often sow unrest and chaos by spreading rumors or misinformation. Free media is crucial in combating these issues, preventing the spread of false information, and ensuring a resilient and stable society.

On the other hand, numerous journalists are being killed in various countries around the world while performing their professional duties. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 99 journalists around the world died in the line of duty in 2023. In the meantime, 77 of them lost their lives in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.