World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression and to remind governments to uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
States have an obligation to protect journalists and not to persecute them in an effort to control the free flow of information. A free media is not only beneficial but necessary in a free society. By exposing human rights abuses and uplifting the voices of marginalized communities, the media can, at its best, encourage the proper application of justice and stimulate debates leading to better understanding that can defuse situations that might otherwise lead to conflict.
Amnesty International has documented many attacks on journalists and news workers who are part of the free press across the globe.
World Press Freedom Day 2025
On April 29, 2025, we held a virtual panel with Jose Carlos Zamora (el_Archivo_media), Clayton Weimers (Reporters without Borders), and Loghman Fattahi (Committee to Protect Journalists) and Lisa Konczal (AIUSA CoGroup Member).
The panel explored the growing trend of government censorship and repression, drawing connections between global human rights struggles and emerging challenges in the United States.Â
Amnesty members can view the recording. Not an Amnesty member? Join us!
Order Your Postcards!
AIUSA has created a packet of postcard actions featuring journalists from across the globe. Each packet will contain 4 sets of postcards (50 each) focusing on some of the journalists we are highlighting. These postcards are domestic postage (sent to local embassies).
Take THESE actionS TO SUPPORT Journalists
Guatemala: NO FEAR, NO GAG
Imprisoned solely for his journalistic work investigating and denouncing corruption.
USA: PROTECT FREEDOM OF PRESS
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must urgently maintain its independence from the administration to ensure the continued freedom of the press in the U.S.
Hong Kong: RELEASE PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE JIMMY LAI NOW!
Journalist charged under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law (NSL) for exercising his right to freedom of expression.
Russia: PROTECT AND RELEASE JOURNALIST MARIA PONOMARENKOÂ Â
Journalist and activist detained for sharing a Telegram post about the bombing of the Drama Theatre in Mariupol, Ukraine.
Tunisia: PROMINENT JOURNALIST ARBITRARILY DETAINED
Tunisian lawyer and media personality arbitrarily detained since 2024 for exercising her right to freedom of expression.
Sri Lanka: DISAPPEARED JOURNALIST AND CARTOONIST PRAGEETH EKNALIGODAÂ
Sri Lankan journalist, cartoonist and political analyst missing since he left work on the evening of January 24, 2010.
Press Freedom Under Threat
Amnesty International USA’s country and thematic specialists shine a light on courageous journalists around the world who risk everything to expose injustice.