Building on the success of our 2024 campaign that drew collaborators from across Canada, the USA and Australia, we're inviting like-minded individuals, organizations and public institutions around the globe to help #SpotlightPressFreedom — literally and figuratively — on UN World Press Freedom Day (May 3).
Our THANKS to the illumination board at Niagara Parks for being the first to confirm their participation in 2025!
Let's work together to #SpotlightPressFreedom in 2025!
For campaign details and to learn how you can participate, check out the FAQ.
Photos: Fitzsimmons Bridge, Whistler, B.C., by J Turner
May 3rd is UN World Press Freedom Day and, as we had since 2021, we asked civic leaders across Canada to help us recognize this important day for building healthy democracies.
The WPFD 2024 theme was A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis.
Thanks to municipalities, provinces, and managers of landmarks who granted our requests to help recognize WPFD 2024 by issuing proclamations; raising UN flags; lighting infrastructure; and/or acknowledging the day on elected leaders' social media.
Check out our map civic recognitions for 2024!
Pins are coloured purple for proclamations; blue for flag-raisings; yellow for sign and infrastructure lighting; and orange for social media mentions.
CN Tower in Toronto; Niagara Falls; the Province of Nova Scotia's Province House; Confederation Building in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador; Matagarup Bridge, and other bridges and tunnel, in Western Australia
May 3rd is UN World Press Freedom Day.
As in 2022, we partnered with World Press Freedom Canada — and journalism students at the College of the North Atlantic and Western University — and asked municipalities across Canada to recognize May 3rd as World Press Freedom Day.
We were also delighted that the Canadian Commission for UNESCO partnered with us for the campaign as, according to our agreement, our "campaign aligns with CCUNESCO's strategic priority to promote freedom of expression to advance an inclusive, just, and peaceful society."
Check out our map of confirmed civic recognitions! Pins are purple for proclamations; yellow for lightings; orange for proclamation + lighting; and blue for flag-raisings.
Thanks to the City of Kitchener, ON, for being the first to grant our request! We raised the United Nations flag outside of city hall on May 3!
We also thank:
Victoria, Vancouver, Prince George, Whistler, Port Moody
Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon
Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Strathroy-Caradoc, London, Mississauga, Cambridge, Hamilton, Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa
May 3rd is UN World Press Freedom Day.
So in partnership with World Press Freedom Canada — and journalism students at the College of the North Atlantic and Western University — we asked mayors across Canada to recognize May 3rd as World Press Freedom Day in their municipalities.
St. John's, NL; Mount Pearl; Halifax, NS; Saint John; Ottawa, ON; Toronto, ON; Mississauga, ON; Hamilton, ON; London, ON; Thunder Bay, ON; Winnipeg, MB; Regina, SK; Edmonton, AB; Vancouver, BC; Prince George, BC.
Thanks to Region of Waterloo councillors who unanimously passed a journalism-support motion on June 3, 2020!
During the 2020-2022 campaign, councillors in 29 Canadian municipalities — home to nearly 11 million people in nine provinces — passed journalism-support resolutions. PDF available.
Thank you to the 1,171 people across Canada who signed our petition encouraging elected leaders to enact regulation and legislation to shape an ecosystem that supports one of the crucial foundations of a functioning democracy: reliable, local journalism. All campaigns have a limited lifespan. As a result, this petition is now closed.
- Martin Baron, Collision of Power.
