The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, in close consultation with theUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO), has postponed the World Press Freedom Conference (WPFC) 2020 that was scheduled to initially take place from April 22 to 24,2020 at the World Forum in The Hague due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Ministry disclosed that the new dates for the conference will most probably be October 18, 19 and 20 at the same venue in The Hague. The event will now be used to jointly mark the World Press Freedom Day (May 3) and International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (November 2) while maintaining the current programme with the current partners as much as possible.
Taking cognizance of the tremendous effort that its partners have exerted to organize their sessions and expressing regrets at the postponement, The Ministry said its truly hopes that each of them can remain as its partner during the conference in October, adding that partners’ designated liaison officers will keep them informed and work with them to try to move their sessions to the new conference dates.
It added that UNESCO will be in touch with the partners regarding a planned media campaign for World Press Freedom Day onMay 3 and that it hopes that it can rely on their support in giving this campaign life and ensuring a high level of visibility for the Day in media, social media, and among their networks.
The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Prize winner will be announced on May 3 and the award ceremony will take place at the World Press Freedom Conference in The Hague in October.
