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The Sana’a Declaration on the Arab Media of 1996 is the one and only international document on the freedom for the Arab media, adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 29th session in Paris, in 1997. Yet freedom is not always guaranteed in the Arab media landscape, which faces today many challenges, some long-standing and others more recent. Among these, the proliferation of disinformation and hate speech, but also the challenge of media viability, at a time when outlets face huge difficulties in delivering quality content while staying free, independent and financially afloat, especially in the wake of the digital transformation era. It is in this context that media experts from the Arab world gathered for a virtual regional forum, within the framework of the World Press Freedom Day Conference, organized by UNESCO over the course of 5 days.

Costanza Farina, Director of the UNESCO office in Beirut, stressed the importance of highlighting specific regional trends related to “Information as Public Good”, this year’s theme, and to contribute to the global discussions on FoE, ATI and information disorder from a regional perspective while celebrating the WPFD. “Media viability needs policies that guarantee media freedom and sustainability, and most governments in the region have used the pandemic to increase restrictions”, said on the first panel Roula Mikhael, Executive Director for Maharat Foundation, an NGO committed to defend freedom of expression. “Freedom of expression is not the only indicator that tells us about the viability of media. We should also look at the rule of law, the independent judiciary economic aspect and the rights of journalists”, she added, highlighting a correlation between the sustainability of media and “democracy, the development of people and their economic capacity”. Roula Mikhael also emphasized the key importance of content quality and professionalism, as well as media ownership. “Public media is weak in the region and we do not always know who owns the private companies”, she said. From her part, Shaima al-Mehdar, Project Coordinator of Manasati30, explained how her team has tried to achieve independence and overcome obstacles, even facing attempts to discontinue their activities. “The digital space was useful to keep on going when offline activities were no longer possible in some areas of the country”, she said. Walid Mejri, Founder and Director of Al-Qatiba in Tunisia, gave on his side a shocking testimonial about the death threats his team has received, and how their fight against corruption had kept many officials skeptical at the launching of Al-Qatiba. He proposed the creation of a funds for the protection of journalists and freedom of expression, while emphasizing the importance of journalistic ethics. 

The two panels were moderated by Nizar Habash, Investigative Journalist at Wattan TV network (Palestine) and George Awad, Communication and Information Programme Officer at UNESCO Beirut. They also hosted Nibal Thwabteh, Director of Media Development Center at Birzeit University, who shared success stories, and Ahmad Abu Hamad, editor and trainer at Al Jazeera Media Institute, who shared his experience in the urgent programs launched by the institute to cope with the pandemic and train journalists on verifying the news and avoiding hate speech. Mohammed Esmail, Executive Manager at the SEMC in Yemen, complained about the proliferation of fake news in his country, and explained why journalists usually fall in this trap. “We should scrutinize all outlets that purposefully publish fake news”, he said, while Sanabel Salameh, editor at Al hudood, highlighted the role of the audience in continuing this battle, and in which 91�鶹������Ʒ���� a big role to play to create a culture of access to reliable information.

With this forum, the Arab World joined media professionals and governments around the world in commemorating the World Press Freedom Day, which takes place annually on the 3rd of May. An important occasion to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists for their efforts and struggle in the exercise of their profession.

This year’s World Press Freedom Day theme “Information as a Public Good” serves as a call to affirm the importance of cherishing information as a vital public good, and exploring what can be done in the production, distribution and reception of content to strengthen journalism, and to advance transparency, empowerment and economic viability while leaving no one behind. The theme is of urgent relevance to all countries across the world and particularly across the Arab region. It recognizes the changing communications system that is impacting health, human rights, democracies and sustainable development.

In her message, UNESCO Director General, Audrey Azoulay stated that "the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, Information as a Public Good, underlines the indisputable importance of verified and reliable information. It calls attention to the essential role of free and professional journalists in producing and disseminating this information, by tackling misinformation and other harmful content”.

On another note, this year’s World Press Freedom Day marks the 30th Anniversary of the UNESCO Windhoek Declaration for the Development of a Free, Independent and Pluralistic Press. After 30 years, the historic connection made between the freedom to seek, impart and receive information and the public good remains as relevant as it was at the time of its signing. In the adopted on May 3rd, 2021, UNESCO calls on all partners, to renew their commitment to the fundamental right to freedom of expression, to defend media workers, and to ensure that information remains a public good.

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