PRESS RELEASE The 3rd May 2015 will be World Press Freedom

PRESS RELEASE
The 3rd May 2015 will be World Press Freedom day marked worldwide as date to celebrate the
fundamental principles of press freedom, to assess the state of press freedom throughout the
world, to defend media freedom from attacks on their independence, and to pay tribute to the
journalists who have lost their lives in line of duty. It was proclaimed World Press Freedom Day
by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth
session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991.
The Media fraternity in Rwanda represented by the Rwanda Media Commission [Media Self
regulatory Body] and the Rwanda Journalists Association [ARJ] in partnership with the
Government of Rwanda, Government Institutions and One UN is organizing activities to
celebrate this day. The activities will kick off on the week of 27th April 2015.
This year’s celebration will be held under the theme; “Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better
Reporting, Gender Equality, and Safety in the Digital Age”, this reflecting a time the Rwanda
media environment continues to experience changes as journalists and citizens strive for greater
press freedom, Also highlighting the growing emphasis on media sector reforms as an indicator
of the country’s political, economic and social transformation. It is worth noting that media
reforms have spurred development in the media sector, the core of which has been the
establishment of media self-regulation concept, which established Rwanda media Commission.
Rwanda Media Commission funded by UNDP has therefore commissioned a study to explore
various aspects of media freedom and development in Rwanda and will launch a report on the
state of media freedom in Rwanda on 3rd may 2015, which will form a basis for discussion
around the theme of the day. This activity will be an opportunity for media stakeholders to
interact with the members of Rwandan Government and policy makers to discuss various aspects
of media freedoms and development.
Among the activities prepared is Media stakeholders’ discussions on 3rd May at Serena Hotel in
Kigali, which will be preceded, by a football game at Amahoro Stadium, between Vision 2020
football club of top government officials and AJSPOR football club of journalists. There will
also be a media awareness campaign during the week of 27th April 2015-3rd May 2015. The day
will see the Rwanda Media Commission present the State of the Media report which will be
followed by the Development Journalism Awards.
The day will provide an opportunity for stakeholders in press freedom particularly media
practitioners, policy makers and development partners to openly discuss and debate the state of
press freedom. Therefore, the media fraternity and the public in general is called to engage fully
in events marking this important day.
Contact: Eugene SIBOMANA
RMC Public Relations Officer
Tel: 0788884713