MEDIA ADVISORY

The 2019 Global Conference to mark the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 
“Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation”

What: The 26th global celebration of World Press Freedom Day. The international conference will be focused on the role of the media in elections and democracy. 

National events will be organized all around the world to complement the main celebration of World Press Freedom Day to take place in Addis Ababa.
When: The 2019 Global Conference to mark World Press Freedom Day will be held from 1-3 May 2019 

Where: 1 May: Partners’ Fora - - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
   2-3 May Official opening session and main programme - Headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
    
Why: 
Every year, 3 May is a date when the world celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom. The day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 and mandated UNESCO to take lead. This in turn was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence.

The African Union Commission through its Deputy Chairperson Quartey Thomas Kwesi, has confirmed the AU Commission’s readiness to partner with UNESCO in co-hosting this global event. This follows a fruitful collaboration between the African Union Commission and UNESCO, through the Regional Coordination Mechanism Framework, in promoting freedom of expression and the role of a healthy African media in achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063 for the second year in a row on the African continent. 

Events under the 2019 theme, “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation”, will address key priorities for Africa and the world: 
•    How the digital era is affecting electoral communications;
•    Media’s role in democracy: Discrediting professional journalism, and disrupting Internet access; and 
•    Media’s potential to contribute to a culture of sustainable peace and democracy. 

Who: The global conference will be co-hosted by the African Union Commission, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO),the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia with the support of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)  and in partnership with many other media stakeholders.
•    Participants wishing to attend the event should register to the global conference through the following link: https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldpressfreedomday/2019/registrat...
•    For information on press accreditation to cover the conference, please see: https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldpressfreedomday/practicalinfor...
•    Interview opportunities with key figures attending the event will be available upon request.

Media inquiries and requests should be directed to:
1.    Ms. Wynne Musabayana I Head of Communication | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org 
2.    Ms. Lydia Gachungi | Regional Adviser on Safety of Journalists, UNESCO Liaison Office to the AU and UNECA | Email: L.gachungi@unesco.org | Tel: +251945505333
3.    Mr. Kidanemariam Gidey | Director for the International Social and Human Rights Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Email: kiduwelde@gmail.com | Tel: +251929438292

For more information on WPFD and conference programme
https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldpressfreedomday
Follow: #WorldPressFreedomDay        #PressFreedom