World Press Freedom Day

World Press Freedom Day History

World Press Freedom Day serves to highlight the significance of press freedom and remind governments of their duty to uphold and respect the right to freedom of expression. The day also serves as a reminder about the dangers many journalists face in their line of work, with commemorations highlighting cases of journalists who have been vilified, attacked, or even murdered for their work.

World Press Freedom Day has particular resonance in New Zealand due to its strong commitment to upholding freedom of the press. New Zealand has a proud history of press freedom, ranking consistently high in the World Press Freedom Index, a reflection of the nation’s strong democratic values. Yet, the day also serves as an important opportunity to address issues within the local media landscape. In recent years, concerns about declining media diversity, concentration of media ownership, and threats to the sustainability of public service journalism have become increasingly prominent in New Zealand.

In New Zealand, World Press Freedom Day is typically observed with events organised by media organisations, journalism schools, and civil society groups. These often include lectures, panel discussions, and exhibitions exploring the state of press freedom in New Zealand and globally. The purpose is to stimulate dialogue about the importance of a free press and the challenges facing journalists and news organisations today. World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on the 3rd of May, a date that serves to remind all New Zealanders of the critical role journalistic freedom plays in a healthy democracy.

Facts about World Press Freedom Day

• The theme for World Press Freedom Day in 2025 was A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the environmental crisis. In 2024 the theme was A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.
  In 2023 the theme was Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all other human rights.
• According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. – Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• New Zealand was the first country in the world to introduce a comprehensive and binding Privacy Act in 1993, managing how "agencies" collect, use, disclose, store, and grant access to personal information. This law helps to balance the right to privacy with freedom of information, a delicate line often negotiated by the press.
• The broadcasting standards in New Zealand are governed by the Broadcasting Act of 1989. Print media is self-regulated under the Media Council (formerly the Press Council).

In the News and Trending in NZ for World Press Freedom Day

Top things to do in NZ for World Press Freedom Day

• Get your inner journalist active on social media. The internet has given birth to a citizen journalist movement that harnesses the power of millions who previously had no voice. We all have cameras in our pockets and access to an audience of millions on social media.
• Attend an event. There are dozens of events celebrating WPFD, these conferences bring together journalists and media workers to discuss current issues. UNESCO offers more info.
• Attend an event organized by the New Zealand Media Freedom Committee, such as panel discussions, workshops, and talks on the importance of press freedom.
• Visit the National Library of New Zealand located in Wellington. Learn about the library's significant role in promoting press freedom in the country.