World Press Freedom Day

World Press Freedom Day is observed every year on May 3rd to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, to assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, to defend the media from attacks against their independence and also to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives. 

April was an unusually busy month for threats against cartoonists.

• Ugandan cartoonist and academic resorts to hunger strike while in overlong quarantine.
https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Dr-Jimmy-Spire-Ssentongo-bold-cartoons-prolonged-quarantine/688334-5520312-eciimfz/index.html

• Palestinian cartoonist in Sweden receives abuse from Saudi Arabian internet users over oil price cartoon.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/cartoon-sparks-bitter-debate-about-saudi-support-palestinian-struggle

• Peruvian cartoonist receives threats over cartoon on anniversary of former president's suicide.
https://www.la-politica.com/amenazas-de-muerte-al-humorista-grafico-peruano-carlin-por-una-vineta-sobre-el-ex-presidente-de-peru-alan-garcia/

• A new "fake news" legislation is set to be introduced in Morocco.
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296735/morocco-enacts-new-law-to-fight-against-fake-news-cybercrime