Paris, 29 March 2001
For immediate release

Download Now for World Press Freedom Day

In a special initiative to mark the 10th World Press Freedom Day on 3 May,
the World Association of Newspapers has asked world leaders: "What does
press freedom mean to you?"

The Pope replied. So did the British Prime Minister Tony Blair, German
Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and many other leaders from all over the planet.
Their responses are included in a package of editorial and advertising
materials that newspapers are being encouraged to publish on World Press
Freedom Day.

The package is now available for downloading from the WAN web site at
www.wan-press.org/3may/ and will soon be mailed to thousands of newspapers
world-wide. WAN is encouraging newspapers to commemorate 3 May by publishing
these materials.

Pope John Paul II said: "The Church recognises the need for freedom of
speech and freedom of the press...But she goes further. Rights imply
corresponding duties. The proper exercise of the right to information
demands that the content of what is communicated be true and - within the
limits set by justice and charity - complete."

Prime Minister Blair, responded: "A free press will sometimes make
uncomfortable reading for any politician. But any passing embarrassment or
justified indignation must never blind us to its vital role in both the
health and protection of democracy."

And Germany Chancellor Schröder said: "Democracy is impossible without
freedom of the press. Complex controversies cannot be solved without freedom
of the press, as questions must be aired."

World Press Freedom Day exists to recognise the sacrifices made in the
struggle for freedom of the press and to put pressure on numerous
governments that continue to deny their citizens this basic human right.
Each year, WAN and the World Editors Forum collect and distribute essays,
photos, statistics and graphics for publication in newspapers world-wide to
help raise awareness of the issues.

The 2001 package will include an essay on press freedom developments during
the past decade and on perspectives for the future.

WAN and the WEF are also providing infographics on jailed journalists, on
murders and on other press freedom attacks, and advertisements highlighting
press freedom.

The package will also include teaching materials and classroom exercises to
help children understand how freedom of expression ­ or the lack of it ­
affects their lives. The materials are intended for use in Newspapers in
Education programmes, and newspapers are encouraged to distribute them to
local schools.

World Press Freedom Day marks the anniversary of the Declaration of
Windhoek, a statement of principles drawn up by African journalists calling
for a free, independent and pluralistic media on that continent and
throughout the world. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the
Declaration, which affirms that a free press is essential to the existence
of democracy and a fundamental human goal.

"Newspapers are often reluctant to talk about the problems of their own
profession, but we hope they will make an exception on World Press Freedom
Day, not so much for the profession itself, but for their readers," said the
WAN Director General, Timothy Balding. "Ten years after the Declaration of
Windhoek, too many people ­ in Africa and elsewhere -- continue to live
without the basic human right to freedom of expression."

The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry,
defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 17,000
newspapers; its membership includes 67 national newspaper associations,
individual newspaper executives in 93 countries, 17 news agencies and eight
regional and world-wide press groups.

Inquiries to: Larry Kilman, Director of Communications, WAN, 25 rue
d'Astorg, 75008 Paris France. Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00. Fax: +33 1 47 42 49
48. Mobile: +33 6 10 28 97 36. E-mail: [email][email protected]
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Larry Kilman
Director of Communications
World Association of Newspapers
25, rue d'Astorg
75008 Paris France
Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00
Fax: +33 1 47 42 49 48
E-mail: [email][email protected]
Visit our web site at www.wan-press.org