On May 3, the world will celebrate World Press Freedom Day. Established in December 1993 by the United Nations General Assembly, World Press Freedom Day raises awareness for press freedom and the rights of journalists.
There are many popular and well written newspapers all over the world. From Los Angeles to London, and even in Whitewater, which has three main news outlets: the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Royal Purple, the Whitewater Banner and the Whitewater Register.
The Whitewater Banner was created in 2006 by Jim Stewart. The Banner focuses on local news and community events. Lynn Binnie has been the Banner’s volunteer editor for the past several years.
“I’ve been the volunteer editor for five years. I enjoy making a contribution to the community in this way,” Binnie said.
Being a volunteer editor is not easy. Binnie has had a lot to manage with little to no training. Binnie finds press freedom to be helpful in his line of work.
“Knowing that the First Amendment protects freedom of the press equally to freedom of speech gives a degree of security as long as we’re careful to report the facts,” Binnie said. “Anything that can highlight for the public the importance of factual, transparent reporting is a plus.”
Besides the Banner, there is also Free Whitewater, a local blog commentary, written by John Adams. Adams has been publishing since 2007 and believes that press freedom affects all aspects of news reporting.
“The healthier and stronger independent news reporting is, the healthier all publications are,” Adams said. “That advocacy benefits writers and publishers everywhere. It’s easier to write in Whitewater if it’s easier to write in Wisconsin, and it’s easier to write in Wisconsin if it’s easier to write across America.”
Adams has worked hard to be truthful to the public and publish what is necessary.
The historical newspaper is yet another news outlet in Whitewater. The Whitewater Register has been in Whitewater dating back to 1857. Like the Banner, they too cover local news along with community history. Many of their old copies can be found at the Whitewater Public Library.
All around Whitewater, and all around the word, Press Freedom Day is there to remind journalists that their work is needed, and that they have rights and freedoms that cannot be taken away.
