"Choose Truth": Campaign launched for World News Day
On Tuesday, the global «Choose Truth» campaign was launched in the lead-up to World News Day, which is observed annually on September 28. More than 100 countries, as well as hundreds of news organizations, media associations, and individuals, are joining forces to highlight the importance of fact-based journalism.
World News Day is jointly organized by the World Editors Forum of WAN-IFRA and the Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF). Under this year's motto "Choose Truth", which was developed by Project Kontinuum under the direction of Branko Brkic, founder of the Daily MaverickThe campaign, which was developed in the context of the "Journalism" campaign, focuses on journalism as an indispensable pillar of a free and democratic society. The aim is to encourage the public to actively support trustworthy news sources.
David Walmsley, Editor-in-Chief of The Globe and Mail and founder of World News Day, emphasizes: "This day offers us the opportunity to reflect on the important role that independent and courageous journalists play around the world. Their work provides the solid evidence that leads us to the truth."
Current challenges
The campaign highlights the tireless commitment of journalists to researching and reporting the facts. At the same time, it recognizes the challenges the public faces in an increasingly toxic information landscape full of misinformation and disinformation.
In a joint contribution to World News Day, Branko Brkic and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa write: "Noise and violence will subside one day, and discourse based on truth and decency will return. But until then, we will fight - every second, every hour, every day. We will defend the truth."
The responsibility of journalism
Ladina Heimgartner, President of WAN-IFRA and CEO of Ringier Media Switzerland, adds: "With this campaign, we reaffirm our shared commitment to defending the principles of fact-based journalism. In a world inundated with disinformation, the responsibility of journalists to deliver accurate, reliable and independent news has never been more important. This campaign reminds us that truth is not just a choice - it is the foundation of a free and democratic society."
