Various speakers took turns to decry the âgrowing dangers to press freedom around the worldââ, calling for action against those responsible.
In a message, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, said he was âdeeply troubled by the growing number of attacks and the culture of impunityââ targeted at media workers around the world.
Almost 100 journalists were killed in 2018, with hundreds imprisoned, says the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO),
This brings to a total of 1,307 the number of journalists killed between 1994 and 2018, according to the organisation.
The UN chief noted that when journalists and other media workers are targeted, societies as a whole pay a price.
Guterres emphasised that âa free press is essential for peace, justice, sustainable development and human rightsââ.
On the theme of this yearâs commemoration, âMedia for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformationââ, he stated that democracy was incomplete without access to transparent and reliable information.
âAt a time when disinformation and mistrust of the news media is growing, a free press is essential for peace, justice, sustainable development and human rights,ââ he said.
President of the UN General Assembly (PGA), Ms Maria Espinosa (AFP)
In her statement, President of the UN General Assembly (PGA), Ms Maria Espinosa, said she was marking the day with a âheavy heartâ, citing the UNESCOâs statistics.
Espinosa noted that the media space was shrinking across the world, âas restrictive laws and policies are enacted, and media workers and their families are subjected to threats and reprisals.
âWomen are disproportionately affected, contending with sexist abuse and sexual harassment online, as well as physical sexual violence, including rape. Too often, these attacks go unpunished,ââ she said.
The PGA said that high-quality journalism and diverse media was needed more than ever at a time when extremism, hate speech and lies spread âlike wildfireâ.
The Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Audrey Azoulay, said it was important that freedom of opinion was guaranteed through free exchange of ideas and information âbased on factual truths.
Former French culture minister Audrey Azoulay is UNESCO's second woman director general (AFP)
Azoulay said societies that valued a free press needed to be âconstantly vigilantââ, adding that nations must act together to protect the freedom of expression and safety of journalists.
The Group of Friends for the Protection of Journalists also noted that freedom of expression was indispensable for good governance, informed decision-making, democracy, free and fair electoral processes and accountability of governments.
The event, which featured a panel discussion on the theme of the day, was organised by the UN Department of Global Communications and UNESCO.Â