Manila is site of World Press Freedom Day Celebration - UNESCO

The 2002 World Press Freedom Day celebration will be held in Manila on 03 May 2002. This was announced by vice president and foreign affairs secretary Teofisto Guingona Jr.

According to Vice President Guingona, who also chairs the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM), the Philippines was chosen by UNESCO as the venue for this year's celebration in recognition of its being one of the freest and vibrant press in the Asia-Pacific Region. The Philippine press is also recognized for the significant contributions it has made in the restoration of freedom and democracy in the country. This is the first time that the annual event will be held in the Region. A ceremony marking the event will be held at Malacanang Palace attended by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura.

The UNESCO Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize will be conferred on Geoffrey Nyarota, editor-in-chief of Zimbabwe's only independent newspaper, the Daily News. The prize, created in 1997 aims to honour the work of an individual, organization or institution defending or promoting freedom of expression anywhere in the world.

Preceding the Malacanang ceremony is a two-day international conference on the theme of this year's celebration, Terrorism and Media. The forum will provide a venue to discuss relevant issues such as the role of media, the need for guidelines on media coverage, media ethics and professionalism, and the safety of journalists. Some 50 foreign journalists and 70 Filipino mediamen are expected to participate in the two-day conference to be held on 01-02 May at the Westin Philippine Plaza.

UNESCO also announced that World Press Freedom Day events will also be held in various countries and regions of the world, particularly those facing conflicts and threats of terrorism.

UNESCO National Commission is spearheading the preparation for this year's celebration with Vice President Guingona as overall chairman, UNACOM vice chair Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, co-chair, Dr. Preciosa S. Soliven, UNACOM secretary general and Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication as vice chairpersons.