World Press Freedom Day, May 3

On the recommendation of the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly, on 20 December 1993, declared 3 May as World Press Freedom Day (decision 48/432). This action stemmed from the General Conference of UNESCO, which, by a 1991 resolution on "Promotion of press freedom in the world," had recognized that a free, pluralistic and independent press was an essential component of any democratic society. The General Conference had invited the UNESCO Director-General to transmit to the General Assembly the wish of UNESCO member states to have 3 May declared "International Press Freedom Day," LThat date was chosen to commendorate the WIndhoek Declaration on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press, adopted on 3 May 1991 by the Seminar on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press, organized by UNESCO and the United Nations in Windhoek, Namibia.

Source: United Nations Web Site: Observations.