Photo: Mr Moez Chakchouck (right) and Ms Tarja Turtia (left), from UNESCO, with Ms Ulla Koski, president of the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation, while visiting the Päivälehti Museum. Last May 2019, Myanmar reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were released from prison after more than 500 days behind bars. The Reuters journalists’ conviction to seven years in jail sparked an international outcry. The announcement of their release prompted a display of solidarity message from the international community, as well as expressions of support to the importance of press freedom around the world. Four days before the announcement, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were the recipients of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, in close consultation with UNESCO, has decided to postpone the World Press Freedom Conference 2020. The organizers’ main concern isto guarantee the health of everyone involved and ensure a high level of attendance from stakeholders around the world.