[Chapter-delegates] World Press Freedom Day 2012

[Nicolas Seidler]

Dear members,

On 3 May 2012, World Press Freedom Day will celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom throughout the globe. 

Building on the thematic focus of the last International Human Rights Day - which highlighted the transformational role of the Internet and social media applications in giving voice to people around the world - this year's theme will focus on "New voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies". Internet Society Board of Trustee Member Khaled Koubaa will speak during the celebration conferences organized in Tunis and hosted by UNESCO.

The Internet Society will recognize this annual landmark event, building upon its engagement in favor of an open, global and decentralized Internet for freedom of expression and the free flow of information, which are foundations for a free and vibrant press online. 
We invite also you to visit our new webpage on World Press Freedom Day at the following address:  http://www.internetsociety.org/worldpressfreedom

The Internet is fundamentally about freedom; the open and global network has set the ground for new journalistic and communication practices, amplifying previously unheard voices and enabling the development of new forms of democratic participation. 
However, media freedom is fragile; journalists are being harassed or killed for doing their work, publications are being censored or shut down, and laws are being passed which criminalize free speech. This reality doesn’t change on the Internet. Along with the new opportunities offered by the global network, new challenges emerge through the use of content filtering, monitoring and suspension of Internet access, often without due regard to individuals’ fundamental rights.

The successful Chapters' workshop on Internet and Human Rights at the Global INET clearly demonstrated the value of the community's perspective on local opportunities and challenges on these issues. We encourage you to celebrate World Press Freedom Day in your regions, and we would be interested to learn if you have any local activities planned in your Chapter, or if you have any specific feedback to share on the state of press freedom in your region. 
You might also be interested to consult the following UNESCO page, mapping Press Freedom celebrations around the world: https://www.unesco-ci.org/foemap/main

Our engagement for freedom of expression and information is very much part of our mission for an open Internet, and we will continue working toward this goal in consultation with our members.

Thank you and best regards,

Nicolas Seidler
Policy advisor

The Internet Society
www.internetsociety.org
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