By Ernest Udoh-Robert
The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO and the Republic of Uruguay will host the annual World press Freedom Day Global Conference from 2-5 Mày 2022.
The conference amongst other topical issues will address the digital era’s impact on freedom of expression, the safety of Journalists, access to information and privacy. The conference will develop concrete recommendations to address these challenges.
As the world gather in Punta Del Este Uruguay, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Akwa Ibom State Council will specifically on the 3rd of May 2022 reunite relevant stakeholders, such as policy makers, Journalists, media representatives, activists, cyber security managers, and legal experts to explore these issues and develop concrete solutions to address the threats posed by increased surveillance to press freedom and privacy.
This year’s theme is Journalism Under Surveillance, And through the World Press Freedom Day Committee, the Honourable Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, is billed to be the Special guest of honour, our own very respected Journalist, and Deputy Governor, His Excellency Mr Moses Ekpo will chair the event, while the Honourable Commissioner for information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong will equally grace the event and make his remarks.
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The lectures will be handled by erudite scholars and they are expected to set a new template for stakeholders in the media space.
3rd May of every year, acts as a reminder to government of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and it is also a day of reflection amongst media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
It is also a day of support for the restraint, or abolition of press freedom. We use that day to remember Journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a story.
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation adopted at the twenty sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991. This in turn was a response to a call by African Journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark declaration on media pluralism and independence.
