Still time to commemorate World Press Freedom Day

WAN-IFRA has made available essays, opinion pieces, interviews, infographics, editorial cartoons, photographs, advertisements and more for publication tomorrow. The materials are available, free of charge, at www.worldpressfreedomday.org.

The package, which focuses on the theme, "Silence kills democracy, but a free press talks", is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Russian and Arabic.

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. Download the materials from www.worldpressfreedomday.org.

The package of materials includes interviews, op-ed pieces and essays by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman; Mexican journalist Anabel Hernández, WAN-IFRA's 2012 Golden Pen of Freedom laureate; international human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson; Erik Bjerager, president of the World Editors Forum and editor in chief and managing director of the Danish national daily Kristeligt Dagblad; Alain Gresh, deputy director of Le Monde Diplomatique; South African anti-apartheid lawyer George Bizos; Tunisian journalist and activist Fahem Boukadous; Pakistani investigative reporter Umar Cheema; Egyptian blogger Mahmoud Salem (aka Sandmonkey); Anette Novak, former editor in chief of Norran in Sweden and board member of the World Editors Forum; and an essay from the World Justice Project.

WAN-IFRA is also providing a range of photographs from Agence France-Presse highlighting freedom of expression issues, exclusive cartoons from Michel Cambon, Zapiro and Ali Ferzat, info-graphics detailing the dangers of exercising the profession of journalism, and resources to help young readers engage in the issues relating to a free press. A selection of ready-to-print public service advertisements is also available to download.