Background Information: World
Press Freedom Day reminds us all – governments, intergovernmental
and non-governmental organizations as well as civil society – of
the crucial role a free press plays in strengthening democracies
and fostering development around the world.
Proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1993, the Day has been
observed on 3 May ever since.
Opening Segment: 10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Message from the General Assembly President, (delivered
by Vice- President of the General Assembly)
Message from the Secretary-General (delivered
by the Under-Secretary-General of Communications and Public
Information)
Rudolf Christen, Chairman, Committee on Information
Message from the Director-General of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), (delivered
by Helene-Marie Gosselin, Director, NY Office of UNESCO)
Tuyet Nguyen, President, United Nations Correspondents
Association (UNCA)
Panel Discussion: 11:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Evelyn Leopold, Chief of Bureau, Reuters,
UN Office
Juan Francisco Ealy Ortiz, Publisher, El Universal,
Mexico
Abderrahim Foukara, Chief of Bureau, Al-Jazeera
Arabic, for the Americas
Josh Friedman, Director of International Programs,
Columbia School of Journalism.
