On May 3, the world celebrates World Press Freedom Day – a United Nations celebration dedicated to the fundamental principles of freedom of the press.
First proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, the day has its origins in the Windhoek Declaration, adopted by African journalists in 1991, which called for a free, independent and pluralistic press.
In 2026, World Press Freedom Day is celebrated under the theme: “Shaping the Future with Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development and Security.”
UNESCO says the day reminds governments of their commitment to freedom of the press. It is a day of reflection for media professionals, a day of support for media under pressure and a day of remembrance for those journalists who have lost their lives in pursuit of a story.
This year’s global commemoration comes at a time of growing concern.
UNESCO’s latest World Trends report finds that freedom of expression has declined globally since 2012, while self-censorship among journalists has sharply increased. The report also highlights increasing physical, digital and legal threats against journalists.
Between January 2022 and September 2025, UNESCO recorded the killing of 310 journalists, 162 of whom were killed in conflict zones.
The 2026 World Press Freedom Day global conference will be held in Lusaka, Zambia on 4 and 5 May, co-hosted by UNESCO and the Government of Zambia.
The conference will bring together journalists, digital rights advocates, policy makers, civil society, researchers and technology experts to discuss how journalism, technology, human rights and information integrity can support more resilient societies.
As conflict, disinformation and pressure on independent media continue to grow, World Press Freedom Day is a reminder that access to credible information is not just a media issue.
This is a human rights issue.
Development issue.
And a peace and security issue.
IPS UN Bureau
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