May 3rd is celebrated as World Press Freedom Day, a date officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 in response to a recommendation from UNESCO. It highlights the importance of a free press for the development and protection of human rights. Despite more than three decades since its establishment, challenges to press freedom persist, especially in places like Mexico, where the influence of organized crime impacts various states of the country.
The main objective of this day is to promote reflection on this fundamental right, assess the global situation of journalism, denounce violations of media freedom, and honor those who have lost their lives while carrying out their informative work. It also seeks to urge governments to ensure safe and censorship-free environments for journalists and media workers, recognizing their vital role in democratic societies and public accountability.
The commemoration coincides with the Windhoek Declaration, a document drafted in 1991 by African journalists during a UNESCO seminar in Namibia, where fundamental principles for a free, independent, and pluralistic press were established. May 3rd was chosen as a symbolic date to remember the value of freedom of expression and its crucial role in democracy and human rights. The date was not chosen at random but directly relates to the signing of this important document.
