Debating artistic freedom at World Press Freedom Day in Ghana

Under the topic “Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law”, World Press Freedom Day 2018 (Accra, Ghana, 2-3 may 2018) will encourage global discussions about current challenges to freedom of expression, but also media diversity and artistic freedom.

On this occasion, UNESCO will organize two sessions: one for the  joint launch of the UNESCO Report on “World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development” and the UNESCO 2018 Global Report “Re-Shaping Cultural Policies” (2 May, 13h30 to 15h00), with the participation of Marie Ottosson, Deputy Director-General of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and various contributing authors to the reports. This session, moderated by Ghanaian Broadcast Journalist Bernard Avle, will discuss the global situation of freedom of expression and creation, access to information and cultural life, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

A second session (2 May, 15h30-17h00) moderated by Ojoma Ochai (Nigeria), Director of Arts, West Africa for British Council, will review  the emerging challenges faced by artists and cultural professionals in the digital environment and discuss strategies to enable their continued participation in civic, cultural and economic life. Various experts and cultural professionals from Denmark, Ghana, Pakistan and Senegal will participate in the debate.

Within the framework of the re-designed Aschberg programme for artists and cultural professionals, UNESCO will also organize a two-day training workshop on 3 and 4 May for civil society and government officials from Ghana on policies and measure to promote and monitor artistic freedom.

All related information on 2018 World Press Freedom Day are accessible here.