Frequently asked questions
Who is organizing the World Press Freedom Global Conference in 2023 and when is it happening?
The Conference is hosted by UNESCO and will take place on 2 - 4 May at the UN headquarters in New York. You are invited to explore the theme of this year's World Press Freedom Day, "Shaping a Future of Rights", through a variety of engaging side events hosted by partners from the media, academia, and civil society, taking place both in New York and around the world.
Where does the World Press Freedom Global Conference 2023 take place?
A full day of high-level plenary sessions will take place on 2nd May at the UN General Assembly located at the UN Headquarters in New York. The conference will be live streamed on .
Can I attend the conference in person in New York City?
A full day of high-level plenary sessions will take place on 2 May at the UN General Assembly Hall. You can now register to attend this special anniversary event by clicking in the . You will receive a confirmation email indicating that your application has been accepted. Only those with confirmed registration will be allowed access to the United Nations building. Confirmation of registration may be required for those participants who need a visa to enter the United States. This confirmation does not grant the automatic right for a visa.
More than 20 events organized by partners will also take place in New York City from 1 - 4 May.
Will there be side events hosted during the Conference?
There will be more than 20 events organized by partners that will also take place in New York City from 1 - 4 May.
Can I invite other people to attend the Conference?
You can invite people by directing them to the . Please spread the word, including by promoting the conference on your social media accounts.
For whom is the World Press Freedom Conference?
The World Press Freedom Conference is open to everyone, including journalists and news media, policy makers, NGOs, members of the judiciary, students, artists, businesses, academics and many others from all over the world who work in or for journalism. is mandatory.
How can I register to cover the Conference as a journalist?
Media accreditation: If you are a journalist and would like to cover the event for a media outlet, please get accredited by MALU. Visit the website .
Is the World Press Freedom Conference the same thing as World Press Freedom Day?
The World Press Freedom Conference is the annual global celebration of World Press Freedom Day, commemorated worldwide on May 3 to honor the fundamental principles of press freedom, defend media independence, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in their line of work. In 2023, UNESCO will mark the 30th anniversary of the UN General Assembly's decision to proclaim World Press Freedom Day as an international day for press freedom with a special anniversary event at UN Headquarters in New York. The anniversary edition will include a full day of activities on May 2nd, with additional events organized by UNESCO and partners across the globe. You can register your event and view our map of celebrations .
What is World Press Freedom Day about?
World Press Freedom Day celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, takes stock of press freedom around the world, aims to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. This year, UNESCO will mark the 30th anniversary of the UN General Assembly's decision to proclaim it an international day for press freedom. This year鈥檚 theme "Shaping a Future of Rights" is a call to recenter press freedom, as well as independent, pluralistic, and diverse media, as necessary key to the enjoyment of all other human rights. Moreover, this anniversary coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Conference, which established key institutions safeguarding human rights, and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Do I have to register to attend the conference?
Yes, you must register to attend the conference event by clicking . You will receive a confirmation email indicating that your application has been accepted. Only those with confirmed registration who have picked up their Special Event Ticket will be allowed access to the United Nations building.
Do I have to pay to participate in the Conference?
No, Participation is free.
Special Event Tickets
Those who have received confirmation of their registration can pick up their name-specific Special Event Tickets (SETs) on the morning of the event 2 May starting at 8:00am. They will be available for pickp-up curbside at 1st Avenue and 46th Street.
Do I need a visa to travel to the U.S. and participate in the Conference?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Please check the official website of the government of the United States for visa requirements.
You can use this website to better understand which visa category might be appropriate for your travel to the United States:
When should I apply for a visa?
You should apply as soon as possible. Information can be found in the official website of the United States Department of State for visa requirements.
You can find more information here:
I need an invitation letter to apply for my visa. Can the conference organizers provide me with one?
If the conference organizers admit you for in-person participation and should an invitation letter be necessary for your visa requirements, they can provide you with an invitation letter. Please contact us at wpfd@unesco.org and clearly mention your full name as written in your passport, your identification document number and nationality. Please note that providing you with a letter can take a maximum of 2 working days and that receiving an invitation is not a guarantee to receive visa.
Will the costs of my visa be covered by the organizers?
You will be responsible for covering the costs of your visa. Information of visa costs can be found in the official website of the government of the United States for visa requirements.
Cost is approx.: US$160
Does confirmation of my registration guarantee a right for a Visa to enter the U.S.?
No, confirmation does not grant the automatic right for a visa.
Where can I find useful information about attending the Conference in person?
Information on Events in New York City and on the Conference will be updated on the website regularly.
Will the conference be hybrid?
The main event will be held in-person on 2 May in the UN General Assembly Hall and will be broadcast live (with no interactivity) on UN web TV.
I am a presenter/speaker/moderator for the event. What should I do?
If you have not received guidance by session organizers, please contact us at wpfd@unesco.org. In any case, please online so that you can access the UN Headquarters and attend all sessions.
Can I invite other people to attend the Conference?
You can invite people by directing them to the . Please spread the word, including by promoting the conference on your social media accounts.
Will there be sessions for all the 4 days of the conference?
No, the UNESCO-organized segment is only 2 May and will be live streamed on .However, there will be more than 20 events organized by UNESCO partners which will take place in New York City from 1 - 4 May.
Will I be able to view the sessions afterwards?
Sessions will be available on demand on UNESCO鈥檚 YouTube channel. The event will also be broadcasted on .
