Friday is World Press Freedom Day, marked annually on 3 May. It was established by the UN in 1993. The day’s purpose is to remind governments to live up to their promise to provide freedom of expression to the press and journalists. This year, the theme is environmental protection.
This year’s theme is “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the environmental crisis”. Journalism is indispensable for raising awareness of all aspects of the global environmental crisis and its consequences.
3 May is an opportunity to debate the profession’s ethics and the fundamental principle of freedom of expression, as well as to commemorate journalists who have lost their lives during their work.
Unlike secular media channels, which focus more on the informational side of their work, Church media also emphasise the value and educational side of their programs.
Thus, the programs broadcast by the Basilica Press Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate and by the media channels of the Romanian Orthodox dioceses discuss moral and spiritual issues, promote peace and cooperation in society and the value of human life from conception to natural death.
Recently, the Romanian Patriarchate and its Basilica Press Centre have gotten involved in education for environment through dedicated projects and by publishing relevant information on this issue.
The Basilica Press Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate was established on October 27, 2007, on the feast of St Demetrius the New, spiritual patron of Bucharest city. The centre is made of: Radio Trinitas, Trinitas TV, the Basilica News Agency, the Lumina Publications, and the Press and Public Relations Office.
The Romanian Orthodox dioceses also have media centres. Among them:
- the Orthodox news portal Doxologia.ro of the Metropolis of Moldova and Bucovina;
- Radio Renașterea of the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj;
- Radio Dobrogea of the Archdiocese of Tomis;
- Radio Reîntregirea of the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia;
- Radio Lumina, of the Diocese of Severin and Strehaia.
Photo credit: Freepik
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