The World Association of Press Councils,an umbrella organization of Press Councils and similar bodies of different countries  of the globe organized an unique  on-line meeting on the occasion of  International Press Day  today with the topic “Media Before and After the Corona virus Pandemic.” This was done in view of the ongoing COVID 19 affecting most parts of the world

Initiating the discussion, Prof (Dr.) Sule Aker, President of the WAPC, advised the fellow media persons to remain careful and disseminate authentic news about the dreaded disease. She also urged all Government and Media Houses to keep the interest of the media persons uppermost in their mind.

Mr Mr. Kishor Shrestha, Secretary General of the WAPC and Chairman of the Press Council Nepal gave details of the work done by the council in his country. He also urged all Governments to come to the aid of the journalists who are fighting the “war” against virus like scores of health professionals and others.

First Vice President of WAPC Mr. Aflatun Amashov said that the Azerbaijan Press Council has made a series of recommendations to the Government for journalists working at this period of crisis. “The Government has also accepted some of the demands,” he said.

Dr. Tamer Atabarut, Treasurer said that the Turkish Press Council has issued a Press Statement on the occasion. Its Chairperson, Ms Pinar Turenc has also declared award for upright journalists who stood against all odds. Members from Asia, Africa, Europe and other parts of the globe participated in the lengthy conference. 

Concluding the conference, Dr Sule Aker said that it is a universal acknowledgement of the need for a free and unrestricted flow of information beyond the boundaries with the media embracing the role of a public trust. Going back to the history she said that  the WAPC  initiated in 1989 at the First International Conference of Press Councils and Similar Bodies at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, organized by Mr. R. Gunasingam, then President of UNESCO National Association, Malaysia. WAPC has increased its Membership with many Press/Media Councils and similar bodies joining it from time to time. It is also recognized by the United Nations, she said.

United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in Windhoek in 1991.

UNESCO also marks World Press Freedom Day by conferring the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize this day.

The UN Secretary-General,  António Guterres    has already called for greater protection of journalists who are providing the “antidote” to what he has characterized as a pandemic of misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 crisis.

It was announced that the Members of the WAPC will meet over video on first Sunday of every month henceforward.

President