Guinea-Bissau journalists celebrate World Press Freedom Day dedicated to democracy with award Gala

Guinea-Bissau journalists today mark the World Press Freedom Day dedicated to Journalism and Democracy with their first Gala of Excellence and a journalism class on TV.

6 May 2019

Guinea-Bissau journalists celebrate World Press Freedom Day dedicated to democracy with award Gala

"Being and seeming to be a journalist in Guinea Bissau" is the theme of the live lecture on the National Television of Guinea-Bissau at 6 pm, promoted by the Lusophone University. At 7:30 p.m.,  starts the 1st Gala of Excellence of Guinea-Bissau Media at the Hotel Ledger, organized by the Union of Journalists and Technicians of Social Communication (SINJOTECS).

The Gala is a fundraising event promoted by SINJOTECS to honor the professionals of the sector, whose contribution allowed the growth and improvements in the sector, and distinguish personalities from various sectors of Guinean society whose behavior in favor of ethics and democracy and contribution to the country is recognized by journalists.

The first gala of excellence of the Guinean media will have the pro bono participation of several renowned artists, such as Zé Manel, Binham, Netos do Bandim, Sambala Kanute, among others.

The money raised will revert to a solidarity fund of the Union used to provide legal assistance to journalists and treatment of professionals with health problems. According to data collected in 2016, about 80 percent of journalists and media professionals do not receive regular salary.

May 3 was declared World Press Freedom Day by the UN General Assembly in 1993 to remind the right of all media professionals to freely investigate and publish information.

According to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, “freedom of the press is a prerequisite for peace, justice, sustainable development and human rights”.

Still, according to António Guterres in his official message, "there can be no full democracy without access to transparent and reliable information.

Activities in Guinea-Bissau rely on logistic support from Hotel Ledger and technical support from UNIOGBIS.