REPORTING IN THE BRAVE NEW WORLD!

In 1993, UN General Assembly proclaimed 3rd of May as World Press Freedom Day. This proclamation marked the beginning of substantial progress towards enabling a free press and freedom of expression around the World with the proliferation of independent media in many countries and rise of digital technologies enabling free flow of information online and eradicating erosion of the trust, crackdown on critical voices and independentmedia.

Press freedom is a cornerstone of human rights ,closely tied to Article 19 of the universal Declaration of Human rights protects the right to freedom of expression and information. In otherwords, press independenceDemocracy and Accountability; A free press enables citizens to make informed decisions and holds government accountable for their actions. The significance of this day is promoting transparency; Investigative journalism exposes corruption and human rights abuses, Empowering citizens; Independent media informs, educates and fosters critical thinking. Journalists face challenges like facing violence, harassement and imprisonment for their work. Also government corporations and other powerful actors restrict press freedom and many more.

The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa(CHRDA) plays a crucial role in the protection of journalists by advocating for their safety and freedom of expression within the African context. It actively monitors , reports on and raises awareness about violations against journalists, engaging with governments, international organisations and civil society to promote media freedom  and safety. CHRDA  protects journalist by;Monitoring and Reporting, Capacity building, Advocacy awareness. World Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting and promoting press freedom, a fundamental human right essential for democracy, accountability and the well-being of society.