World Press Freedom Day 3rd May-Theme 2015: Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality, & Media Safety in the Digital Age.

World Press Freedom Day 3rd May-
Theme 2015: Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality, & Media Safety in the Digital Age.

Every year, 3 May is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

Quality journalism enables citizens to make informed decisions about their society’s development. It also works to expose injustice, corruption, and the abuse of power. For this, journalism must be able to thrive, in an enabling environment in which they can work independently and without undue interference and in conditions of safety.


Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993. Since then, 3 May, is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.

This day is an opportunity


To Celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom;

To Assess the state of press freedom throughout the world;

To Defend the media from attacks on their independence;

To Pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

This year the United Nations agency mandated to promote and protect press freedom worldwide, has named renowned journalist and CNN Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour as its Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of Expression and Journalist Safety.

Three Sub themes are focused for World Press Freedom Day this year:

1. The need for “quality journalism” - reporting that is accurate and independent, remains a constant concern in a media landscape that is changing due to technological and commercial developments.

2. Gender imbalance continues in the media 20 years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Change. All too few women journalists like Malini Partasaraty in The Hindu in India are able to reach decision-making positions in the media.

3. The third theme is digital safety, a topic of growing concern because digital communications makes it difficult for journalists to protect themselves and their sources.

The year world press freedom prize winner is Syrian journalist and human rights activist, Mazen Darwish, who is currently imprisoned.