IMPORTANCE OF WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

By Jon Pebi Tato

INTERNATIONAL: The 3rd of May is being celebrated as the "World Press Freedom Day", which is sometimes just put as "Press Freedom Day", or "World Press Day". Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed a paradigm shift in its progress since the advent of the "Press" in the state. Some decades ago, the state hardly had a proper channel to spread information throughout the region, unlike today.

"Echo of Arunachal" launched by the then renowned writer & visionary leader Lummer Dai, ushered the wave of the first press in the state. It can truly be regarded as the pioneer of the press in the state, which gave birth to the much-highlighted print media of the state, "The Arunachal Times". Today we have several renowned print media, like Eastern Sentinel, Arunachal Front, Arunachal Observer, The Dawnlit Post, etc.

Not to keep aside the rise of "Electronic media" in the state, right from the veteran Journalist Taro Chatung's "News & Views" & till today, the electronic media in the state has undoubtedly harnessed the plethora of information & spread it to the larger masses.

Today in this rapidly moving digital world, the masses require & respond faster than before, & its impact has been seen throughout the world, and the Journalist in particular.

In the journey of the progress of PRESS, the state has witnessed several backlashes & attacks on the individuals of the media fraternity time & again. 

On this World Press Day, Let us recapitulate that the "Press" is a fraternity, viz the fourth pillar of democracy, to aid the masses with information through sources. Sometimes the news might be harsh & sometimes friendly, either way, it is information that should be taken as a piece of information but not as an allegation in the press.

BACKGROUND OF WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

This  Through the declaration came made in 1991 at the 26th General Conference session of UNESCO, In the year 1993, 3^rd  May was declared World Press Freedom Day

Why is it important to us?

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right and the press plays an important role in informing the public about the happenings in their country and around the world. Arunachal Pradesh as a state is on the stage of progress & the press in the state needs harmonious support for a positive growth &  a great future.

As per  UNESCO, the day aims to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom around the world, defend the media against the attacks on its independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives while performing their duty.

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Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh