(Monrovia, Liberia, April 20, 2015): Liberian journalists will celebrate this year’s World Press Freedom Day in Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh County, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) announced on Monday in Monrovia. This is the first time the PUL is taking the celebration to southeastern Liberia.

May 3rd of each year is observed universally as World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) with appropriate programs highlighting the significance of a free press in a democracy. Major activities include hosting a parade, followed by an indoors program, where speeches about freedom and democracy are made.

For the last 5 years, the PUL has observed the day by taking activities to other parts of the country for communities in those parts of the country to understand the significance of a free press, as well as the rationale of a press in a democratic setting like Liberia.

According to the PUL, journalists will depart from Monrovia on Friday, May 1, 2015 to Grand Gedeh, and will be joined by others from rural Liberia.

May 2 will be a Field Reporting Day, during which journalists will report on various issues in the county. On Sunday, May 3 (World Press Freedom Day), an intercessory servicewill be held, followed by sporting events between the PUL and local teams in the evening. The formal events marking WPFD (parade and indoors program) will be held on Monday, May 4, followed by departure.

The celebration will climax with an Annual Awards Night & Dinner in Monrovia on Friday May 29, 2015 during which the PUL will present various prizes to journalists, for excellent performances during the last one year.

Meanwhile, the PUL has requested individual journalists to contribute US$20 and media houses US$100 to help underwrite costs for transportation, feeding and lodging for three-day event. Journalists are also advised to proceed to the Union’s headquarters to register between April 20 and 30 for planning purposes.