On the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca congratulated the representatives of the mass media who were present at Monday's meeting of the City Hall officials. The female journalists received by a white rose, which is the symbol of purity, Info-Prim Neo reports. The mayor spoke about the role of the press in promoting the democratic values, stressing that the World Press Freedom Day is a day when attention is paid to how the right to freedom of expression is observed. It is also emphasized the courage, professionalism and dignity of the journalists in doing their job. The freedom of the press and the freedom of expression represent the guarantee between democracy and the abuse of dictatorship and a border that strengthens the state of law, he said. On December 23, 1993, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of free press principles put together in 1991.