Paris, 10 April 2008

The World Association of Newspapers is urging publications world-wide to show their support on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May, for journalists who put their lives in danger to get the news.

WAN, which represents 18,000 newspapers world-wide, is dedicating its 2009 World Press Freedom Day campaign to ``Journalists in the Firing Line'', and is producing editorials, advertisements, political cartoons, interviews and other materials for publication in newspapers and other media on 3 May.

Newspapers wishing to view, download and publish the materials, free of charge, can find them at http://www.worldpressfreedomday.org. The materials will be offered in English, French, Spanish, and Russian, but newspapers are encouraged to translate them into other languages as well.

Thousands of newspapers world-wide publish the WAN materials on World Press Freedom Day each year.

``Day after day, journalists investigate and file reports on issues they know can lead to harassment, physical retaliation, arrest, prison and even death. On World Press Freedom Day, newspapers can help their readers better understand the contributions these journalists make to their societies, and the dangers they face in doing so,'' said Timothy Balding, the CEO of the Paris-based WAN.

``Journalists in many countries are threatened, attacked and even murdered when they carry out their essential role of investigating corruption, organised crime, political violence and other acts carried out by those who fear exposure,'' said Mr Balding. ``In most of these cases, the perpetrators of these crimes go unpunished.

``The majority of the worlds population does not enjoy the basic human right of freedom of expression, and journalists who are courageous enough to report on sensitive issues in repressive countries are often `rewarded' with a jail sentence, or worse'', he said.

More than 70 journalists were killed world-wide last year, at least 670 were arrested, and 125 remain in prison.

The materials provided by WAN for 3 May give an in-depth look at the problem and include:

- Cartoons, created by noted French cartoonist Michel Cambon, that illustrate the problems facing journalists in the firing line. The cartoons, including an animated version for websites and broadcasters, can be found at http://www.wan-press.org/3may/2009/cartoons.php?id=892.

- Public service advertisements that help raise awareness of the problem and allow newspapers to express solidarity with those who put their lives on the line. The advertisements can be found at http://www.wan-press.org/3may/2009/articles.php?id=948.

- Interviews with journalists who have suffered harassment and attacks but continue to report despite the hardships. The texts can be found at http://www.wan-press.org/3may/2009/texts.php?id=774.

- An editorial for newspaper `op-ed' pages to be published on World Press Freedom Day, which can be found at http://www.wan-press.org/3may/2009/articles.php?id=906.

- Maps and infographics showing where journalists were killed, arrested and imprisoned world-wide in 2008. The graphics can be found at http://www.wan-press.org/3may/2009/articles.php?id=885.

- Photographs that newspapers can use to illustrate the articles and other materials, provided by Agence France-Presse expressly for the World Press Freedom Day initiative, at http://www.wan-press.org/3may/2009/photos.php?id=899.

- Materials to be used in Newspapers in Education programmes that can be found at http://www.wan-press.org/3may/2009/articles.php?id=913.

World Press Freedom Day marks the anniversary of the 1991 Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of principles calling for a free, independent and pluralistic media throughout the world. The Declaration affirms that a free press is essential to the existence of democracy and a fundamental human goal.

The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom and the professional and business interests of newspapers world-wide. Representing 18,000 newspapers, its membership includes 77 national newspaper associations, newspaper companies and individual newspaper executives in 102 countries, 12 news agencies and 11 regional and world-wide press groups.