CELEBRATION OF THE WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY AT THE AFRICAN UNION / INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OOF THE MEDIA

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 2, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- MEDIA ADVISORY

When: 3rd of May

Where: Medium Conference Hall, New African Union Conference Center Commission, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Who: Organized by jointly by the African Union, European Union, UNESCO and the Government of Ethiopia, along with Ethiopian press agencies/organizations.

Objectives: This day is to celebrate World Press Freedom Day. For this purpose, presentations and discussions will occur between media representatives and representatives from international institutions. The day will conclude with a Journalism Excellency Award Ceremony.

Background: Established in 1991, World Press Freedom Day has been celebrated throughout the world on May 3rd ever since. This year's theme is “New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies”. For years now, this day constituted an opportunity to assess and discuss the steps made towards an improved freedom of speech, freedom of the press and information circulation.

Participants: Representatives from the Ethiopian media, UNESCO, AUC, UN, EU, UNHCHR.

Journalists are invited to cover the official opening ceremony of the new African Union Conference Complex, on May 3, starting from 8.30.

For more information, please visit the African Union's website: www.au.int