EFDN commemorates World Press Freedom Day

EFDN commemorates World Press Freedom Day

Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, May 3rd is a day that celebrates the fundamental rights of press freedom. 

On this day, the international community comes together to highlight the importance of defending the media from attacks on their independence, but also to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives, whilst practising their profession.

This celebration also serves as a reminder to governments to respect their commitment to press freedom. The day allows media professionals the opportunity to reflect on issues of press freedom and professional ethics.

To help combat the challenges around press freedom, UNESCO launched the “Journalism without Fear or Favour” global campaign, which, each year sees debates and workshops take place around the world, in addition to the Word Press Freedom Conference. The 2020 Edition, (which has been postponed to the 18th-20th of October due to COVID-19), will be held in the World Forum in The Hague, the Netherlands. You can find more information about #WPFD2020 here.

Football and the Press

The press plays an important role in football and its hard to imagine the game without it! The press promotes the game by providing people with information about different clubs and teams at elite levels all over the world. This can play an important part in children being more likely to play football at grassroots levels, after seeing their role models in the news. This is why it is important to promote the game, especially among the younger generations.

Below, we have shared some best practice examples carried out by our member clubs, who have been celebrating press freedom in football with their young supporters…

Rangers Charity Foundation

The ‘Jump into Journalism’ course provides young people with an insight into the diverse and exciting world of media journalism and photography, opening the door to potential careers in the industry. Media at Rangers, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is fast-paced and incorporates publications, TV, social media, photography and digital media. Furthermore, the club invited fan Joshua to join the Rangers Media Team.

NAC Breda

Each year, NAC Breda organises a ‘Press & Photo Day’ so that the young members of the Kids Club get the chance to sit in the press room as professional journalists do, asking their questions to the first team players. In addition, participants of NAC’s community programmes can use a well-equipped media room to edit music and videos.

BSC Young Boys

A similar initiative to NAC Breda was carried out by BSC Young Boys, who also once a year provides young supporters with the chance to ask their questions to their heroes, acting as a journalist.

Saints Foundation

Another Kids Press Conference is the one organised by Southampton FC, that sees Junior Saints Members interviewing the first team players. Find out more by watching the video linked below.