Newspaper & Mailroom

Still Time To Commemorate World Press Freedom Day:

Friday 29. April 2011 - "Elders" Contribute to WAN-IFRA World Press Freedom Day Materials

Thousands of newspapers world-wide will commemorate World Press Freedom Day on Tuesday, 3 May, by publishing thoughtful editorial and provocative advertising materials from the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). There is still time to join them.
WAN-IFRA has made available essays, opinion pieces, interviews, infographics, editorial cartoons, photographs, advertisements and more for publication on or around 3 May, and has just added an editorial from The Elders, an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, who support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity. The materials are available, free of charge.
The package, which focuses on the theme, “Silence kills democracy, but a free press talks”, is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Russian and for the first time, Arabic.
The ongoing demonstrations for freedom in the Arab world is the subject of the new op-ed piece contributed by The Elders, written by two members of the group: Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland and a Nobel Laureate, and Lakhdar Brahimi, former Foreign Minister of Algeria and former UN Special Envoy.
“As we have seen repeatedly throughout the world, censorship and control of information serves the interest of the privileged few; the rule of law is negatively affected, human rights ignored and impunity and corruption unchecked,” they write.
“In contrast, a free, diverse and responsible media promotes transparency and accountability, informs public debate and helps to ensure governments address the concerns and aspirations of all citizens. “
World Press Freedom Day marks the anniversary of the 1991 Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of principles calling for a free, independent and pluralistic media throughout the world. The Declaration affirms that a free press is essential to the existence of democracy and a fundamental human goal.
It has become a day to raise awareness of press freedom problems worldwide, and to recognise the sacrifices that independent media and journalists make to keep their societies informed.
WAN-IFRA is encouraging newspapers everywhere to publish as much of the materials as possible.