By Dr Dylan Bird

The UN’s World Press Freedom Day on Sunday (May 3) offers an opportunity to reaffirm the fundamental importance of press freedoms, and to acknowledge and pay tribute to the journalists and whistleblowers who have paid a heavy price for their commitments to accountability and transparency. 

RMIT’s Journalism program emphasises the central role of the news media to a well-functioning democracy, across both its teaching and research. This year, to mark Press Freedom Day, we have organised for both the Melbourne Town Hall and Federation Square to be lit up in in blue, as part of a global #SpotlightPressFreedom campaign led by civic advocacy group Ink-Stained Wretches. Federation Square is also putting on a free screening of the critically acclaimed 1976 political thriller All The President’s Men from 8pm on the night.

We invite all journalists, journalism educators, and anyone who cares about press freedom to join us in gathering for a group photo at 7pm near the screen at Federation Square.

Our journalism students will be in attendance to cover the event, doing vox pops, interviews, and taking photos and video.

We are hoping that any journalists and/or press freedom advocates will also make themselves available for interviews on the night.

With democracy in retreat in many parts of the world, this is an important opportunity to reaffirm the values that are so central to Australian political and cultural life.

For any questions or interview requests, please reach out to RMIT journalism lecturer Dr Dylan Bird – dylan.bird@rmit.edu.au.