World Press Freedom Day 2024: Empowering Journalists to Uphold Truth and Accountability

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World Press Freedom Day is an annual observance celebrated on May 3rd to highlight the fundamental principles of press freedom and honour journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

A free and independent press is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Journalists play a crucial watchdog role, holding those in power accountable and shedding light on issues that impact the public. When press freedom is restricted, it erodes the public’s access to accurate, unbiased information and enables the spread of misinformation and propaganda.

As the world grapples with the proliferation of “fake news” and the erosion of trust in media institutions, the need for robust, ethical journalism has never been greater. World Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder that press freedom is a fundamental human right and a necessary condition for sustainable development, peace, and justice.

World Press Freedom Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1993, following a recommendation from UNESCO’s General Conference. The day is observed annually on May 3rd to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluate press freedom around the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

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The origins of World Press Freedom Day can be traced back to the “Windhoek Declaration,” a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in Windhoek, Namibia, in 1991. This declaration affirmed that “a free press is essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation and for economic development.”.

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day, based on a recommendation from UNESCO. The first World Press Freedom Day was celebrated in 1994. Since then, UNESCO has taken the lead in organising the global commemoration of World Press Freedom Day each year, bringing together media professionals, press freedom organisations, and UN agencies to assess the state of press freedom worldwide and discuss solutions to the challenges facing journalists. The annual observance has featured a different theme related to press freedom.

World Press Freedom Day also serves as an occasion to honour journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty, through the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, named after the Colombian journalist who was assassinated in 1986. This is awarded annually to an individual or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and promotion of press freedom. In 2024, the prize will be an opportunity to honour the memory of the journalists who have made the ultimate sacrifice in their pursuit of the truth and to reaffirm the global commitment to protecting media professionals and ensuring their safety.

This year’s theme, “Empowering Journalists to Uphold Truth and Accountability,” underscores the critical role of journalists in promoting transparency, exposing corruption, and holding those in power accountable. In an era of increasing digital threats, misinformation, and political interference, journalists must be equipped with the resources, skills, and legal protections to fulfil their vital function in society. The UNESCO World Press Freedom Day conference will be hosted in Santiago, Chile.

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The World Press Freedom Index, published annually by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of press freedom globally. In the 2023 edition, the top-ranked countries for press freedom were Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Costa Rica, while the bottom-ranked countries included Eritrea, Turkmenistan, North Korea, and China.

The index measures factors such as media pluralism, media independence, the quality of the legal framework, and the safety of journalists. It highlights the alarming trend of increasing restrictions on press freedom, with more than 73% of the 180 countries assessed as having “problematic,” “difficult,” or “very serious” situations for journalists.

One of the most pressing challenges to press freedom is the ongoing persecution and targeting of journalists around the world. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 67 journalists were killed in 2022 while carrying out their work. Countries with the highest numbers of journalist fatalities include Mexico, Ukraine, and Haiti.

In addition to physical violence, journalists also face other forms of repression, such as arbitrary arrests, imprisonment, and online harassment. The 2023 World Press Freedom Index found that journalism is completely or partly blocked in 73% of the countries assessed, with the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbating the challenges faced by reporters in the field.

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World Press Freedom Day 2024 serves as a critical reminder of the vital role that a free and independent press plays in upholding the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability. The day is not just a celebration for media professionals; it is also an opportunity to engage the broader public and raise awareness about the importance of press freedom. UNESCO encourages the organisation of events, workshops, and discussions to educate the public about the role of the media in a democratic society and the challenges faced by journalists worldwide.

By participating in World Press Freedom Day activities, citizens can learn to identify and combat the spread of misinformation, support ethical journalism, and advocate for the protection of press freedom in their communities and around the world.

In My Hands Today…

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South vs North: India’s Great Divide – Nilakantan RS

Compare two children—one born in north India, the other in the south.

The child from south India is far less likely to die in the first year of her life or lose her mother during childbirth. She will also receive better nutrition, go to school, and stay in school longer; she is more likely to attend college and secure employment that pays her more. This child will also go on to have fewer children, who in turn will be healthier and more educated than her. In a nutshell, the average child born in south India will live a healthier, wealthier, and more secure life than one born in north India.

Why is south India doing so much better than the north? And what does that mean?

In this superbly argued book, data scientist Nilakantan RS shows us how and why the southern states are outperforming the rest of the country and its consequences in an increasingly centralized India. He reveals how south India deals with a particularly tough set of issues: its triumphs in areas of health, education, and economic growth are met with a policy regime that penalizes it; its success in population control will be met with a possible loss of political representation. How will the region manage such an assault? Hard-hitting, troubling, and full of fascinating data points, South vs. North is an essential book about one of the biggest challenges that India faces today.

Recipes: Cashewnut or Kaju Curry

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Famous in the coastal areas of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, Kaju or Cashewnut Curry, is a rich and creamy curry that is so delicious. I saw someone eating this curry in a video some months ago and have been wanting to make it ever since. I finally got the opportunity recently and here’s my version.

Kaju Curry

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole cashew nuts
  • 2 medium-sized onions, chopped
  • 4-5 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped
  • 6-8 cloves garlic
  • 1 inch piece of ginger
  • 3 dried red chillies
  • inch piece of cinnamon
  • 3 cloves
  • star anise
  • 2 bell peppers (any colour), chopped into big pieces
  • 1 cup low-fat milk (optional)
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • ¼ tsp turmeric powder
  • 2-3 tsp red chilli powder
  • ½ tsp garam masala powder
  • 1 tsp jaggery powder
  • 1 tbsp kasuri methi
  • Salt to taste
  • 2-3 tbsp ghee
  • 2-3 tbsp butter

Method:

  • Take 1 tsp ghee and butter in a pan and let the butter melt. Once the butter melts, add the cashew nuts and stir continuously until the cashews become golden brown. Remove and keep aside.
  • Add some more ghee and butter and saute the chopped bell peppers till they are slightly cooked, but retain their crispness. Remove and keep aside.
  • In the same pan, add one more tsp of ghee and butter, add in the cumin seeds and let them pop. Once they pop, add in the dry whole spices – dried red chillies, cinnamon, cloves and star anise and stir for a couple of seconds each before adding in the next spice.
  • Then add in the chopped ginger and garlic and stir for a few seconds, add in the chopped onions and stir well.
  • Add in 1 tsp salt, stir well and let the onions lightly brown and become translucent. Remove and keep aside.
  • When the onions are cool, blend into a smooth paste and keep aside.
  • Remove the paste from the blender and in the same blender, take about 12-15 fried cashews and blend into a powder. Add the tomatoes and blend the cashew powder and tomatoes into a smooth paste. Keep aside.
  • In the same pan, pour the remaining ghee and butter and once the butter melts, add in the onion paste and stir continuously, not letting the paste burn or stick to the bottom of the pan.
  • Once the onion paste has cooked and started to reduce, add in the tomato-cashew paste and stir well.
  • Add in the dry spices – turmeric powder, red chilli powder, jaggery powder, garam masala, and salt, if needed and continue stirring. You may pop a lid on the pan and the tomato mixture may start splattering.
  • Crush the Kasuri methi in the palm of your hand and sprinkle it on the gravy.
  • Add in the bell peppers and cashew nuts. Stir well. Add 1-2 cups of milk and water to bring it to the consistency you desire. Let it come to a rolling boil.
  • Switch off the gas and add finely chopped coriander leaves to garnish.
  • Serve hot with rice or any Indian flatbread.

2024 Week 16 Update

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Today’s quote by former American President and one of the men I look up to, Barack Obama, resonates with me, given my state of mind these days. The quote emphasises the importance of using failures as a learning opportunity rather than allowing them to negatively impact one’s self-perception. It suggests that instead of viewing failures as a reflection of one’s identity, one should see them as valuable experiences from which to gain wisdom and improve. It’s about shifting the perspective from a fixed mindset, where failures are seen as insurmountable, to a growth mindset, where challenges are embraced as chances to develop and strengthen one’s abilities.

So how can you do that? Instead of brushing off failures, you should take the time to reflect on them. Ask yourself what went wrong, what could have been done differently, and what lessons can be learned. Embrace the idea that abilities and intelligence can be developed. See challenges as opportunities to grow, rather than obstacles that define you. After a failure, identify specific areas for improvement and set goals to develop those skills. Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from others. Constructive criticism can provide valuable insights into areas you may not have considered. Persistence is key. When faced with setbacks, remind yourself of the progress you’ve made and the lessons learned along the way. Recognise and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. This helps build confidence and reinforces a positive association with learning from mistakes. And lastly, remember that it’s about shifting your perspective to view failures not as a negative reflection of your abilities, but as stepping stones to success. Now all I need to do is remember this. Should I print this out and put it above my desk? Maybe I will!

This week, as a way to reframe my failure, I did something I have never done. I reached out to a career coach and will have my initial introductory session next week. And if I am convinced this is the right thing to do, I will pay for a few sessions to see if I can turn things around.

GG just finished her second-semester exams and it’s been a hit-and-miss so far. Some papers went well and some were not so good. BB is fine at camp and is now in his second month of training. After three months of training here, he will move to his unit for a month of on-the-job training. He is happy at camp, because not only is it close to home, but since he is doing engineering work, he feels he is learning something useful.

Please send positive energies my way as I attempt to find a new job in my fifties!

In My Hands Today,,,

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Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results – Shane Parrish

Few things will change your trajectory in life or business as much as learning to think clearly. Yet few of us recognize opportunities to think in the first place.You might believe you’re thinking clearly in the moments that matter most. But in all likelihood, when the pressure is on, you won’t be thinking at all. And your subsequent actions will inevitably move you further from the results you ultimately seek—love, belonging, success, wealth, victory.

According to Farnam Street founder Shane Parrish, we must get better at recognizing these opportunities for what they are, and deploying our cognitive ability in order to achieve the life we want.

Clear Thinking gives you the tools to recognize the moments that have the potential to transform your trajectory, and reshape how you navigate the critical space between stimulus and response. As Parrish shows, we may imagine we are the protagonists in the story of our lives. But the sad truth is, most of us run on autopilot. Our behavioral defaults, groomed by biology, evolution, and culture, are primed to run the show for us if we don’t intervene.

At our worst, we react to events without reasoning, not even realizing that we’ve missed an opportunity to think at all. At our best, we recognize these moments for what they are, and apply the full capacity of our reasoning and rationality to them.Through stories, mental models, and more, Parrish offers the missing link between behavioral science and real-life outcomes. The result is a must-have manual for optimizing decision-making, gaining competitive advantage, and living a more intentional life.