JournalismPakistan.com | Published 4 years ago
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—The World Press Freedom Day 2021 was marked with a “Webinar: Promoting Information as a Public Good” on May 3, 2021, by UNESCO in partnership with the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Embassy of Sweden in Pakistan and the High Commission of Canada in Pakistan.
The webinar was attended by more than 50 participants from civil society, youth, media professionals, academia, international organizations, and diplomatic missions.
This year’s theme – “Information as a Public Good”, highlighted the significant role of media in bringing authentic information to the public and how this depends on a broader ecosystem, enabling information as a public good. Experts explored the crucial role of media in these changing times, highlighting the criticality that freedom, independence, and viability remain intact.
Patricia McPhillips, Country Representative and Director, UNESCO Islamabad, welcomed the participants and emphasized that, “Credible information helps us realize our fundamental rights and promotes accountability and transparency in societies and it is only through journalists working without fear and intimidation, that credibility and authenticity of information can be ensured.”
While moderating the webinar, Usama Khilji from Bolo Bhi highlighted the need to create an enabling environment for upcoming journalists to maintain the free flow of information. Myra Imran stressed journalism as a public good and its importance in today’s evolving media dynamics. Shehzad Ghias, a digital content producer, shared his experience while elaborating on the need to devise hybrid economic viability models.
During the webinar, Maria Nadir, a young media and information literacy trainer from Balochistan, explained the importance of media and information literacy to counter fake news and disinformation.
In his concluding remarks, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., European Union Delegation to Pakistan, Mr. Thomas Seiler reiterated that journalists are the frontline workers of every democracy. They must be able to work freely. They help detect and counter disinformation. COVID-19 has shown us drastically how vital reliable and fact-checked information is for a functioning democratic state. On World Press Freedom Day, we reiterate our commitment to protecting those who use this fundamental freedom to keep us informed every day.
The World Press Freedom Day was commemorated under UNESCO’s Multi-Donor Program for Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP). The MDP strengthens UNESCO’s work at global, regional, and national levels by channeling funds towards emerging priorities and the most pressing needs to achieve its mandate on freedom of expression. A UNESCO press release
November 08, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com launches its new tagline, Linking Journalism Worldwide, reflecting global expansion beyond Pakistan with Asia, World, and Middle East coverage.
November 08, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Iqbal Jaidi passes away in Shorkot after a long illness. Friends remember his humor, humility, and lifelong dedication to journalism.
November 07, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com launches a Middle East section to expand regional reporting. New coverage will follow JPâs editorial SOPsâverification, balanced sourcing, and two-stage reviewâplaced between Asia and World on the Home Page.
November 07, 2025: Russia accuses Pakistanâs Frontier Post of anti-Russia bias; the paper defends press freedom and independence. A diplomatic clash over media narratives.
November 07, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Chaudhry bids farewell to Express News after 18 years on Kal Tak, marking the end of an era in Pakistani television journalism.
November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tararâs job offer to Nukta staff draws criticism as hundreds of journalists across Pakistan face layoffs, salary delays, and job insecurity.
November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announces jobs for 37 laid-off Nukta employees, saying they will be placed at digital platforms within 48 hours amid growing media uncertainty.
November 05, 2025: PTIâs Faisal Chaudhryâs witty reply to Gharidah Farooqi on GTVâs âG for Gharidahâ goes viral as a clip from their debate over the 27th Amendment sparks reactions online.
November 08, 2025 The Court of Appeals in the Philippines voided the civil forfeiture case against journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and layworker Marielle Domequil, ruling that no proof linked them to the CPP-NPA.
November 07, 2025 UN and rights groups warn of escalating media repression in Myanmar, citing arrests, censorship, and digital surveillance that threaten to erase independent journalism.
November 07, 2025 Iran has intensified online censorship, blocking independent news sites and social channels, sparking protests from journalist groups over the growing suppression of press freedom.
November 07, 2025 Six Turkish journalists have been summoned over coverage of opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, raising fresh concerns about press freedom and political repression in Turkey.
November 07, 2025 Over 285 journalists have been killed in Gaza since 2023, exposing a severe impunity crisis and raising calls for global action to protect press freedom.