Columbia County Observer's Commerations of World Press Freedom Day 2025
By Ayman Fadel
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates May 3 as World Press Freedom Day. Amnesty International USA encourages people to commemorate World Press Freedom Day by taking immediate action in the following cases:
Tunisian lawyer and media personality Sonia Dahmani
Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga
Urging the United States Federal Communications Commission to protect press freedom
Amnesty International USA also asks people to learn about the following journalists who are paying a high price for expressing views contrary to those held by their states' rulers:
China's Jimmy Lai
Guatemala's José Rubén Zamora
Maria Ponomerenko of the Russian Federation
More than 15 years ago, Sri Lankan journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda was disappeared
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that Israeli attacks in Gaza, Palestine have killed at least 175 journalists and media workers during the ongoing war, “making it the deadliest period for journalists since CPJ began gathering data in 1992.” It has also reported on killings of journalists in Sudan's civil war.
Thankfully, the Columbia County Observer hasn't encountered any measure of the violence, regulatory control and censorship described by Amnesty International and CPJ. Nevertheless, in its own small way, it seeks to participate in a global profession whose goal is to reveal facts and truth so that people can take decisions which improve their lives. For press freedom both near and far, I ask people to adopt the values of World Press Freedom Day and take action to preserve them.
For more information about local Amnesty International USA activities, visit https://amnestyaugusta.wordpress.com/.
Ayman Fadel is a member of Amnesty International USA Group #186, based in Augusta.
Amnesty International USA infographic