The briefing session will take place on 18 May to share information about the outcomes of the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) conferences that took place around the world in the beginning of May 2011. The major WPFD event 2011, co-organized by UNESCO, the US State Department and over 20 civil society partners, took place in Washington D.C. from 1 to 3 May. The conference focused on 21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers and explored the growing role of the Internet, the emergence of new media and the rise of social networking during the recent years.

On 4 May 2011 UNESCO and UN organized an event marking 20th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, which laid grounds of WPFD celebrations. This year, World Press Freedom Day was celebrated in more than 100 countries.

In parallel with its global advocacy initiatives, UNESCO will present at the briefing session its work on the publication, Freedom of Connection, Freedom of Expression: The Changing Legal and Regulatory Ecology Shaping the Internet. This pioneering book examines the complex situation of freedom of expression on the Internet in a broad context of policies and practices around the globe. It will be officially launched at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 30 May 2011.

The briefing session will be transmitted through live webcast on the ITU website.