​KABUL - In the run up to World Press Freedom Day 2019, the UN in Afghanistan underscores the critical role performed by a free press. The UN backs the fundamental principles of press freedom, as well as the fight to defend media independence and journalist’s safety, and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives.

Show your support to press freedom by sharing messages from the ‘I defend journalism’ micro-campaign on #WorldPressFreedomDay

https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldpressfreedomday/defendjournalism

3 May was designated by the UN General Assembly in 1993 and has been an effective catalyst to draw attention to the importance of press freedom to open societies.

The Afghan media scene is widely regarded as one of the most vibrant, pluralistic and open in Asia. The development of the Afghan media sector is rightly seen as one of the country’s major advances and achievements over the last two decades. The UN is committed to continue its longstanding and ongoing support to Afghan media – to protect the advances and to help sustain further development.

The UN will continue to provide particular support to journalist’s safety and the fight against impunity for crimes against reporters.

Globally, the UN family will be marking the day with multiple events, including a major conference entitled ‘Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation.

Read the Key Messages around World Press Freedom Day 2019 –

https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/wpfd_2019_key_messages_en.pdf

The main WPFD conference, this year being held in Ethiopia, will provide a platform for multiple actors to exchange on current issues, threats and achievements concerning freedom of the press.

https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldpressfreedomday