Fostering Freedom of Expression
Awareness-raising
World Radio Day – 13 February
Radio is still the most dynamic, reactive and engaging medium there is, adapting to 21st century changes and offering new ways to interact and participate. Radio informs us and transforms us, through entertainment, information and audience participation. Having a radio means you are never alone – you always have a friend in radio.
World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) – 3 May
Every year, 3 May is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI) – 2 November
The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/68/163 at its 68th session in 2013 which proclaimed 2 November as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ (IDEI). The Resolution urged Member States to implement definite measures countering the present culture of impunity. The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013.
Capacity Building
UNESCO actively works to ensure the safety of journalists, media workers, and social media producers who engage in journalistic activities. We work in a multi-stakeholder approach to promote better legislation, protection mechanisms, updating journalism curricula, engaging the judiciary system, and the security forces on these issues.
Media and Information Literacy (MIL)
Media and Information Literacy (MIL) empowers citizens to understand the functions of media and other information providers, to critically evaluate their content, and to make informed decisions as users and producers of information and media content.
Policy Advice
- UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity
- International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)
The IPDC Programme provides financial support for media projects and seeks an accord to secure a healthy environment for the growth of free and pluralistic media.