Preparations Finalized to Host 26th World Press Freedom Day

Addis Ababa April 25/2019 Ethiopia has finalized preparations to successfully host the 26th edition of world press freedom day that will be held on May 2-3, 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

On its weekly press briefing, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nebiyat Getachew told journalists that preparations have finalized to host the global celebration.

The spokesperson stated that service giving institutions such as hotels and the Ethiopian airlines are also prepared to serve the participants coming to attend the conference.

More than 1000 participants including representatives from government and international organizations, the media, academia and civil society are expected to attend the event, Nebiyat pointed out.

“The conference will be an experience sharing occasion for Ethiopia in the media sector, as it will be celebrated following the government's action releasing all detained journalists,” he said.

Nebiyat indicated that the international press day is expected to offer an opportunity for the media reform along with opening space for the media and freedom of expression.

The 2019 World Press Freedom Day is to take place under the theme of: ‘Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation’.

It has been recalled that the government is preparing to host the conference after United Nation Education Scientific and Cultural Organization welcomed Ethiopia’s request and decision to host the conference.

The UN General Assembly declared may 3 as World Press Freedom day in 1993, to represent an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of the press freedom and joint initiatives in this area.

It also serves as an occasion to remind citizens that in many countries around the world, censorship is rife, while journalists, editors and publishers continue to be harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.