World Press Freedom Day 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact: Sarah Johnson; +1-202-247-8832; wpfd2011@gmail.com

More than 800 Call for Freedom for Journalists during World Press Freedom Day 2011 Commemorations in Washington, DC


Jailed Iranian reporter receives UN award

If any conclusion can be drawn at the end of the three day World Press Freedom conference, it is that press freedom is a varied experience.  Or as a panelist put it better, press freedom is a “grocery cart” of laws, regulations, theories, enforcement and norms. 

In an effort to better understand the differences journalists experience regarding freedom of the press, we took to social media.  Using Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter, we asked reporters worldwide a simple question, “What does press freedom mean to you?”  This is a compilation of their answers:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Newspapers and other traditional forms of journalism are still relevant in many parts of the world, argued a panel of international journalists at World Press Freedom Day.

“In the African context it is much better and easier to communicate via print media, rather than [with] online media,” said Ethiopian journalist Mesfin Negash. “There is more abuse in online media and online resources in general, so people tend to trust what’s published.”