World Press Freedom Day | President Nangolo Mbumba has reiterated the government's commitment to press freedom, saying it is cherished and Namibians will continue to live by the law.

Dr. Mbumba joined media practitioners across the globe in commemorating World Press Freedom Day 2024 under the theme, "A Press for the Planet: Protecting Journalists and Scientists in Defence of the Environment."

Therefore, President Mbumba says the theme for this year, with a strong focus on the protection of the environment, resonates with the Namibian people, who have made the protection of the environment a constitutional provision.

He underscored that the climate is facing an emergency with recurrent droughts and floods affecting millions of lives and causing the destruction of infrastructure. 

Consistent with the World Press Freedom Day theme of this year, the President encouraged journalists in the exercise of their right to educate and inform in order to advance the protection of the environment, including the prosperity and development of the Namibian people.

Dr. Mbumba says Namibia's Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and that of the press.

This commitment was made against the backdrop of the country's historical experiences, where the fundamental freedoms and rights of the majority of Namibians were denied.

As the home of the 1991 Windhoek Declaration on press freedom and the country with the freest press in Africa, President Mbumba says the government renews its pledge to promote press freedom as a responsible and indispensable part of the governance architecture. 

The Head of State also reminded journalists to live by the ethics of an important profession in the democratic life of Namibia's country.

The UN General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day, observed to raise awareness.

The day further seeks to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.