How was World Press Freedom Day born and why it is commemorated

"The establishment, maintenance and strengthening of an independent, pluralistic and free press are essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in a country, as well as to economic development." With this spirit, it was realized the Windhoek Declaration, May 3, 1991by the participants of the Seminar on the Promotion of an Independent and Pluralistic African Press held in Windhoek, Namibia.

The same thing was trying to change the situation in the journalism of this continent where threats, persecution and censorship were commonplace.

Several years later, in 1993, UNESCO proclaimed May 3 as World Press Freedom Day, in honor of what happened on the African continent.

Then, every year, the international organization commemorates this date in order to pay tribute to all journalists around the world who fight for freedom of the press and the free flow of information.

This year, the 26th edition of the celebration is jointly organized by UNESCO, the African Union and the Ethiopian Government, in Addis Ababa from May 1st to May 3rd. The main theme of the congress will be "Means for democracy: journalism and elections in disinformation", which deals with the current challenges facing the press during an election period.

In addition, the delivery of the UNESCO World Prize for Freedom of the Press – Guillermo Cano, one of the most important in the field of journalism. It pays tribute to Colombian journalist Guillermo Cano Isaza, who denounced the crimes committed by Pablo Escobar and the Cartel of Medellin, which cost him his life in 1986, when he was killed by coups.

Freedom of the press includes the existence of guarantees that give citizens the right to organize for the creation and dissemination of media. Moreover, they are neither controlled nor censored by the power of the state and each person can publish his ideas freely without prior censorship.

The same thing means a fundamental right, looking back and reviewing history, in countries where there was no free and independent press, where abuse of power and corruption found the solution. There had been no countless journalists who, by the time they were silenced, they were not afraid to denounceperhaps many crimes committed under dictatorial governments had gone unnoticed.

In the country, the National Constitution expressly protects the freedom of the press in Articles 14 and 32. According to Article 14: "According to the laws that govern their exercise, all the inhabitants of the nation enjoy the following rights: to publish their ideas through the medium of the press without prior censorship."

In addition, Article 32 provides that "the Federal Congress shall not lay down laws that restrict freedom of the press or establish federal jurisdiction over it".

Without a doubt, the best way to exercise the freedom of the press is to make responsible journalism. It strives to provide facts and opinions based on public debate. And the professional media is his main support in democracy.