May3

the voice of truth.

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today, may 3rd  is world press freedom day

on this day, in 2025,  361 journalists worldwide are in prison 

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The One Free Press Coalition (#OneFreePress) uses the collective audiences of member organizations to stand up for journalists under attack for pursuing the truth worldwide.  

With journalist freedoms under assault worldwide, the One Free Press Coalition was conceived during a meeting of the International Media Council at the World Economic Forum. Top editors from leading media organizations committed to use their collective muscle—by working together, they could shine a massive light on the plight of threatened journalists all over the world. 

Coinciding with World Press Freedom Day (May 3rd), global media outlets unite as One Free Press Coalition to publish this annual “10 Most Urgent” list, bringing attention to fellow journalists who are being imprisoned for seeking to tell the truth. These ten cases illuminate governments’ efforts at criminalizing journalism, silencing the media, and withholding information from the public.

The list is compiled in collaboration with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). According to CPJ data, 361 journalists were behind bars worldwide at the end of 2024 (up from 320 in 2023). 

In August 2024, the One Free Press Coalition celebrated the release of two American journalists—Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva—from Russian detention after their cases topped the May 2024 list of “10 Most Urgent” press freedom cases.

Given the increasing number of journalists detained for simply doing their jobs and seeking to tell the truth, and given the successful 2024 campaign to free Gershkovich and Kurmasheva, the One Free Press Coalition crucially and emphatically unites our collective voices in support of the following individuals and their urgent cases of press persecution.                                                 

10 Most Urgent, May 2025

https://www.onefreepresscoalition.com/list

World Press Freedom Day 2025 is a powerful reminder that journalism is more than just reporting—it’s a lifeline for democracy, justice, and the environment. As we face global crises like climate change, the need for fearless, ethical, and free journalism has never been more critical.

Let’s celebrate, support, and protect the voice of truth — today and every day.

“In every country in which there has been a loss of freedom, where does it begin? It begins in news media, in public print, in books, and on the proscenium. That’s where they attack you first right there. That’s the bread basket.” – Rod Serling

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57 responses »

  2. “To struggle against censorship, whatever its nature, and whatever the power under which it exists, is my duty as a writer, as are calls for freedom of the press. I am a passionate supporter of that freedom, and I consider that if any writer were to imagine that he could prove he didn’t need that freedom, then he would be like a fish affirming in public that it didn’t need water.” – Mikhail Bulgakov.
    The power of a pen is more than anything. Let us use it wisely for the benefit of our society. Happy World Press Day 2025.

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  10. “it’s a lifeline for democracy, justice, and the environment. As we face global crises like climate change, the need for fearless, ethical, and free journalism has never been more critical.” – yes, that’s so true! Thanks for bringing forward this coalition!

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  14. It’s very sad to see the press being an endangered breed and industry especially in North America, where we are supposed to be a world champion and role model for democracy. I’m glad these worldwide observations take place to remind us of the importance of freedom of the press.

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  17. I did not know it was the World Press Freedom Day today. That is good to remember. I was aware of the Joakim Medin case, since my native country is Sweden. There’s been some tensions between Sweden and Turkey. This is a very important post. Thank you for posting it.

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  21. Pingback: the voice of trugh…from beth at:I didn’t have my glasses on…. | Rethinking Life

  25. As someone with a journalism degree and experience as a newspaper reporter and photographer, THANK YOU, Beth, for writing this. Now, more than ever, we need a free press. I see the media being attacked on a daily basis in this country and it’s downright scary. The intimidation. The threats. The name-calling. Everyone ought to be concerned, deeply concerned. A free press is absolutely vital to democracy.

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