Journalism without Fear or Favour
The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Journalism without Fear or Favour‘, a phrase coined by Adolph S. Ochs, founder of the modern New York Times. WPFC seeks to promote the idea that we need to stand up for a free, safe and independent media and protect journalism from new and existing forms of unwanted control, pressure and influence. In addition, with more than 1,100 journalists killed in the world from 2006 to 2019 according to UNESCO, and only one case out of ten judicially solved, the level of impunity for crimes against journalists remains terribly high. This imposes a climate of fear in many parts of the world, which is ultimately detrimental to the free circulation of ideas and opinions by both the media and citizens at large. With the independence, safety and freedom of the media under attack in so many countries, and with the COVID-19 pandemic revealing once again just how important a free, safe and independent media is, it this is now more relevant than ever to stand up for these issues.
Global digital conference
This year’s conference aims to digitally bring together the professional community of journalists, media companies, human rights defenders, members of the judiciary (including judges, lawyers and prosecutors) policymakers, academics and NGOs, and to connect them to a large global audience that can actively participate online. WPFC 2020 will be a highly interactive and participatory conference, merging digital and in-person elements. With livestreamed interactive sessions, keynote speeches and performances, people all over the world will be able to participate at times most convenient for them. Sessions will be broadcast from the World Forum in The Hague and multiple other locations around the world.