Press Freedom Day: the importance and instances behind it

We celebrate Press Freedom Day to remind ourselves that having a free press is super important for keeping our society informed and holding people in power accountable. Its like giving a big high-five to journalists and reporters who work hard to bring us the news every day, and reminding everyone that having the freedom to speak up and share information is something to be celebrated.

Press Freedom Day 2024

It is celebrated on 3 May every year. The day is an occasion to celebrate the importance of a free and responsible press in a democratic nation. It emphasis the need for ethical journalism that upholds truth, accuracy, and fairness.

History

Media is the fourth pillar of democracy. India is one of the biggest democracies in the world and is ranked second in print media. News publications faced many issues and challenges during British rule. The press faced obstacles from colonial rule and illiteracy and had to overcome many rules that suppressed free speech.

Importance

The press became an important tool to raise awareness about the need to unify the country. The press was a major advocate of modern ideas such as democracy, freedom, equality, and patriotism. Information supplied by journalists helps citizens make informed decisions on a host of issues, from local school funding to food and drug safety, and of course, which candidate to vote for important leadership.

The day helps in reiterating that the public must always have access to all kinds of information and the government should support it in creating a safe space for journalists to do their jobs.