THE City of Bacolod will mark the World Press Freedom Day 2021 Monday, May 3, as declared by City Ordinance 687 to recognize and respect the freedom of the press as an inseparable partner of a democratic society.
"The observance of 'World Press Freedom Day' in Bacolod tells us that indeed our city is in sync with the rest of the free world. We call media the 4th estate because that is how highly we value freedom of the press. There can be no real democracy if media is not free but this must also comes with its corresponding responsibilities and ethics," Mayor Evelio Leonardia said.
Related activities for World Press Freedom Day will be held in Bacolod this month, which will be organized by the Bacolod City Public Information Office (PIO) in partnership with the Negros Press Club, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP)-Negros Occidental Chapter, and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Negros Occidental Information Center.
The theme of the World Press Freedom Day 2021 is "Information as a Public Good," which serves as a call to affirm the importance of cherishing information as a public good; explore what can be done in the production, distribution, and reception of content to strengthen journalism; and advance transparency and empowerment while leaving no one behind.
In her message, Unesco Director-General Audrey Azoulay said the theme underlines the indisputable importance of verified and reliable information.
"It calls attention to the essential role of free and professional journalists in producing and disseminating this information, by tackling misinformation and other harmful content," Azoulay added.
According to Unesco, May 3 is also a day of support for media, which is a target for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom, and a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a story. (PR)