The Melbourne Press Club recognises and supports World Press Freedom Day on 3 May.

#WorldPressFreedomDay

World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom.

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.

World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993.

At the core of UNESCO's mandate is freedom of the press and freedom of expression. UNESCO believes that these freedoms allow for mutual understanding to build a sustainable peace.

It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom - a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.

It is a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favour of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide.

The Melbourne Press Club supports our members to perform their craft without fear or favour.

For more information about the Melbourne Press Club, visit melbournepressclub.com.

Cathy Bryson
Chief Executive Officer