World Press Freedom Day

In 1993, the United Nations declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day. Since then, the day has been celebrated worldwide, with different countries hosting the main celebrations - this year for the first time they are being celebrated in the U.S. The day "serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics," according to the United Nations website dedicated to the day.

For Bonnier, press freedom is not just important, but freedom of speech is a core value for the company as a whole. Specifically, Bonnier's commitment for freedom of speech means a strong belief in a pluralistic media landscape, a commitment to protect the editorial voice from commercial and political interests and the courage to publish controversial media content and the will to provide open media channels for many individual voices  as well as relentless support for journalists and individuals who fight for freedom of speech throughout the world.

"Freedom of the press is important to democracy," says Meelis Mandel, editor-in-chief for Äripäev, the Estonian business daily which is a part of Bonnier Business Press. "I can even imagine that the success or failure of some state economies depends a lot on the freedom of the press." Tomasz Siemieniec, editor-in-chief of sister business daily, the Polish Puls Biznesu, concurs. "Politics, businessman, local authorities and many more need to feel pressure to act in a proper way, especially in young democracies.We are watchdogs permanently looking at the hands of all these people. To do that, we need to be free."

The best way people can support freedom of the press is by using it, says Andrus Vaher, president of Russian business daily Delovoy Peterburg, also a part of Bonnier Business Press. "Read the quality newspapers!" Vaher says. "With this you help the media sector which is the major provider of relevant information for society to exist based on democratic principles."