3rd of May - World Press Freedom Day
In dozens of countries around the world, journalists, editors and publishers are murdered, assaulted, detained and harassed simply for telling the truth. Their publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down for daring to voice opinions contrary to those of their governments.
World Press Freedom Day exists to recognize the sacrifices made in the struggle for freedom of the press and to put pressure on governments that continue to deny their citizens this basic human rights. The '3rd of May' message is that journalists everywhere must be granted the right to report freely and without fear.
The date marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of principles drawn up by African journalists in 1991 calling for a free, independent and pluralistic media on that continent and throughout the world.
The declaration is a milestone in the struggle for a free press in all regions of the world.
3rd
of May in Romania
In 2000, as part of the Freedom of Expression - FreeEx Program, Media Monitoring Agency together with the Association to Protect and Promote the Freedom of Expression (APPLE) and Center for Independent Journalism (CJI) have initiated the celebration in Romania of the World Press Freedom Day.
Right from the start, the event was targeted to include 2 parts: a series of debates on various themes like pressures upon local media, media legislation, etc. followed by a party where the journalists are being awarded for suffering strong infringements of their rights to access to information and freedom of speech.
Awards for the most sued journalists
The criteria of granting awards for mass media is based on detailed information about journalists and news organizations involved, date and circumstances of incident, background information on journalists who are being wrongfully expelled, wrongfully sued for libel or defamation, attacked or illegally searched, censored, materials confiscated or damaged.
3rd of May 2000
The most sued journalist in Romania - journalist Nicolae Toma from Lugoj - with 53 cases and 9 convictions
The most suites stirred by one single article - Dan Badea from Evenimentul Zilei daily - 12 cases
The most numerous group of journalists sued by one person - the entire editorial staff of Monitorul de Brasov sued by the local representative of the government after publishing an article accusing him of corruption
The quickest ruling pronounced in a media-related case - two investigative journalists from Academia Catavencu, Felix Rache and Sorin Ozon, sentenced during the first hearing, without having a legal defense
The most weird trial - a journalist from Ziua de Ardeal, Mariana Gavrila, sentenced for citing complaints filed against two local judges (the information proved to be true and an investigation is under proceeding).
An auction was held for the "biggest reparations required". The winner of the "bid" (sued for 5 billion dollars) has been Cornel Nistorescu from Evenimentul Zilei.
3rd of May 2001
Under categories like:"'Big eagle with journalists in his claws", "Arrest Rasdaq", "Lex-ual Perversions", "Post Crippled bones", "The media and the journalists", the organizers have awarded the following brave characters:
Paul Cristian Radu, Stefan Candea, Cornel Nistorescu, Evenimentul Zilei (national newspaper)
Lili Lal and Cristian Brancu, VIP (national tabloid)
Silviu Vasilache, Ziua de Galati- Braila (local newspaper)
Dan Pavel, political analyst.
3rd of May 2002
Malonga Parfait, Dochita Mosoianu, Leo Badea, PRO TV (national private TV station)
Gabi Safta, Europa FM (national private radio station)
Ion Cristoiu, Azi (Bucharest based newspaper)
Nicoleta Bichescu, Alice Gheorghita, Ziarul de Vrancea (local newspaper)
Ondine Ghergut, Evenimentul Zilei (national newspaper)
Emilia Belet, Jurnalul de Constanta (local newspaper)A special award was offered to the man of the year - OVIDIU IANE for releasing the ARMAGEDON Report.
3rd of May 2003
Dan Balasescu, Gazeta de Sud (Craiova, local daily newspaper)
Romeo Popescu, Vocea Valcii (Ramnicu Valcea - local weekly publication)
Cosmin Pigui, Impact de Gorj (local weekly publication)
Rodica Culcer, Nadina Forga, Cosmin Prelipceanu (formerly working for Europa FM - national private radio station)
Gabriela Mladin (formerly working for RCS TV Cluj - local tv station)
Andrei Gheorghe, Pro Fm (national private radio station)
Entire editorial team of Ziarul de Bacau (local daily newspaper)