The Society of Editors has today joined more than 120 newsrooms across the world to support World News Day 2020.

Spearheaded by the Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF), the World Editors Forum (WEF) and the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) — with support from the Google News Initiative – this year’s campaign looks to remind audiences why journalism matters and why it needs to be celebrated and protected.

Ian Murray, Executive Director of the Society of Editors praised the campaign and said that, now more than ever, the work of journalists across the world should be celebrated.

He said: “Good, solid journalism has never been more in need than during these troubled times. Across the globe we are seeing events that threaten our ways of life on an unprecedented scale, from the global pandemic to threats to the environment to political division and adversity.

“The public wherever they are need clear, well-researched, high quality journalism to help them make sense of the evolving world around them and be assured that those dictating change have their best interests at heart.

“Journalism at its best can only be a force for good in this changing world – and an essential force. World News Day helps remind everyone of the importance of the role our industry plays.”

With support from publishers and broadcasters worldwide including Toronto, Singapore, Spain and the US, the campaign is calling on the public and media to share their stories of why #NewsMatters. Participating newsrooms will also use their pages, editorial columns and social media channels to highlight why #JournalismMatters. Some have planned their own events for their audiences and will produce special supplements on the vital work that they do.

Two exclusive World News Day op-eds pieces have also been published today.  David Walmsley, Editor-in-Chief of The Globe and Mail (Canada), and Warren Fernandez, Editor-in-Chief of The Straits Times, Singapore’s leading English language news organisation, have both highlighted the importance of press freedom in pieces to mark World News Day.

Writing for World News Day, Fernandez said that in the face of the Covid-19 outbreak, audiences have been turning to professional journalists like never before.  

He wrote: “They want answers on how to stay safe, as well as how to safeguard their jobs. They need to know the facts. They need help separating fact from fiction, amid the pandemic of fake news that has also gone viral. They are looking to people they can trust to help them join the dots, to make sense of these bewildering times.  

“At a time when so much has been turned on its head, this much has become clear: Real news matters. The truth matters. Objectivity matters. Balance and fairness matter.  In short, quality journalism matters.”

To celebrate #WorldNewsDay, CNN Chief Media Correspondent Brian Stelter will host a virtual World News Day show, including guests Dr Anthony Fauci, Maria Ressa and journalists and correspondents from The New York Times, CNN, BBC, Reforma, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Geographic and ABC News. It will also include performances by artists such as Macy Gray. The event will take place at 19h00 Eastern Time (24h00 GMT). 

More information on #WorldNewsDay can be found here.

Supporting organisations and newsrooms, including the Society of Editors, can be seen below.