Memoir on press freedom to be made public on May 3

A memoir on the freedom of the press in Moldova during May 3, 2011 – May 3, 2012 will be launched on May 3, when it is celebrated World Press Freedom Day. The event will take place in Europe Square of the Public Garden “Stephan the Great”, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communiqué from the Independent Journalism Center (CJI). Until the end of May, media NGOs will organize other events dedicated to the Press Freedom Day. The Association of Independent Press (API) will stage an exhibition of photographs themed “Life of Journalist” near the monument to Ruler Stephan the Great. The same day, the Young Journalist’s Center of Moldova will launch the “Mass media guide of Moldovan young people”. During two days, on May 3 and 4, the editorial staff of the Ungheni paper “Unghiul” will hold meetings with readers and offer subscription discounts of 10%. On May 4, the Journalistic Investigations Center (CIN) will open an exhibition of press materials centering on children’s rights. The exhibit will take place in the central garden of Chisinau. On May 4, the API will present the poster “10 ‘golden’ rules for journalists writing about children”. On May 7, the Press Council of Moldova will make public the study “Perception of plagiarism in the journalistic media”. The magazine “Natura” will organize meetings with readers from different settlements in Edinet on May 7-11. The Committee for the Freedom of the Press on May 9 will stage a Press Club involving John Siniff, Cover Story Editor from USA Today, Steve Smith, a media expert, and the head of the Center for International Mass Communication, Training and Research at the University of Georgia, U.S., Lee B. Becker. The event will take place at Skytower Center. On May 10, the CJI will hold a roundtable meeting themed “Regulation of the conduct of the mass media in the election campaign”. The same day, the CIN will mount the Investigative Journalists’ Club at the NATO Center. On May 25, the editorial staff of the magazine “Natura” will organize the Subscribers’ Day at the local offices of Moldova’s Post Office, where the subscribers will be able to take out subscription at a promotional price. Throughout May, the API and the Press Council will stage a roundtable meeting themed “Covering by the media of sensitive subjects about children and the interaction with press services” in Chisinau, Balti and Comrat. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed World Press Freedom Day in 1993, following a recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991. This day is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluate press freedom, defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.