WHEREAS: a healthy, professional news media is essential for the proper functioning of civil society and democracy at the local, regional, federal and international levels; and
WHEREAS: The United Nations has proclaimed “World Press Freedom Day” as an annual observance each May 3rd; and
WHEREAS: according to the Local News Research Project, 516 news outlets in 345 communities across Canada have closed or merged from 2008 to December 2023 (compared to the opening of 215 in 152 communities); and
WHEREAS: The City of Selkirk was among 28 municipalities in one territory and nine provinces across Canada that recognized World Press Freedom Day in 2023, and
WHEREAS: The theme for World Press Freedom Day 2024 is “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis,”
THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that I, Larry Johannson, Mayor of the City of Selkirk, in the Province of Manitoba do hereby proclaim May 3, 2024 to be “World Press Freedom Day” in Selkirk and commend its thoughtful observance to all citizens.
Larry Johannson
MAYOR
