UNESCO joined the walk with journalists from the seven different constituencies of the Indonesian Press Council including the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), Indonesian Journalist Association (PWI), Indonesian Local Television Association (ATVLI), Indonesian National Private Radio Broadcaster Association (PRSSNI), Indonesia News Publishers' Association (SPS), Indonesian Private Television Association (ATVSI), and the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI). Mr. Rudiantara who is the Minister for Communication and Information Technology, flagged off the event at the premise of the Indonesian Press Council.

The walk also turned into a family event with journalists bringing their family members to walk along the Jenderal Sudirman road during its popular weekly “car-free Sundays”. The hour-long walk included an impromptu interview stop at the local landmark “Bundaran HI” where the Minister and Chairman of the Indonesian Press Council fielded questions from various media outlets covering the event.

Mr. Rudiantara, who joined in the walk, said that the country is looking forward to be a great host for the event which has important significance for both Indonesian and international media communities.

Mr. Yosep ‘Stanley’ Adi Prasetyo, Chairman for the Indonesian Press Council noted that it is a great honour for Indonesia to have been chosen to be the host for World Press Freedom Day and a recognition of the progress achieved by the country in terms of press freedom since its independence.

The World Press Freedom Day main celebration will take place at Jakarta Convention Center from 1 to 4 May 2017. It is the first time the main event is being held in Indonesia and is co-organized by the Indonesian Press Council, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and UNESCO. More information concerning the day is available on en.unesco.org/wpfd.