International Day of Solidarity for Journalists (08/09)

International Day of Journalists' Solidarity, celebrated annually on September 8, was established in 1958 in Bucharest at the 4th Congress of the International Organization of Journalists. According to the congressional deputies, on this day journalists from all countries and publications should demonstrate their unity to the world, especially in protecting their rights.

The basis for choosing the date of the Day was tragic events. On September 8, 1943, Czechoslovak journalist and anti-fascist writer Julius Fuchik was executed in Germany. He became interested in politics already in his youth and in 1921 became one of the founders of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. In 1941, Fucik became a member of the second central underground board of the Communist Party. On April 24, 1942, he was arrested by the Gestapo along with six other members of the liberation movement.

Julius Fucik became known throughout the world for his book «Report with a noose around his neck», written by him in the dungeons of a Prague prison. After his death, the book was translated into 70 languages of the world, and since 1958, the day of Julius Fucik’s death began to be celebrated as the International Day of Solidarity of Journalists.

At the end of the 20th century, at the next UN conference, September 8 was named International Day of Solidarity for Journalists. Thus, this day is not just another professional holiday, but also a day when all journalists can feel their unity and solidarity.

On the International Day of Solidarity of Journalists, conferences and congresses are held all over the world, which bring together journalists from different countries. At these events, they not only share their experience, but also receive awards for their sometimes very dangerous work, and also remember their fallen colleagues.

Let us recall that in 2013, the UN General Assembly established the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, which is celebrated annually on November 2.



Postcard «8 September — International Day of Solidarity for Journalists»

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