Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, the World Press Freedom Day is observed on 3rd May and raises awareness of the importance of freedom of expression. On this day, the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize is awarded to a deserving individual or organisation that has made an exceptional contribution to the defence or promotion of free press, especially in the face of danger.
The prize is a dedication to Colombian journalist Guillermo Cano Isaza who was assassinated in front of office of his newspaper on December 17, 1986.
