World Press Freedom Day 2025

Theme: “Reporting in the Brave New World”

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:32 (NIV)

In this so-called brave new world, truth isn’t always what it seems. As a reader, a viewer, an observer, I often wonder: what are we really being told? And more importantly what are we not? News travels faster than ever. But speed doesn’t equal truth. Behind polished headlines and fast-breaking reports, agendas often whisper or sometimes scream. Political bias, corporate interests, and fear of backlash have made many media outlets cautious, selective, and in some cases, complicit.

How free is the press? Are most press feels forced to play it safe, avoid the hard questions, or follow the popular narrative? Where are the voices reporting the whole truth, not just the version that fits?

World Migratory Bird Day

Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities.

This year’s theme emphasizes the importance of designing and managing urban environments that support both birds and people, aiming to foster coexistence and protect migratory bird populations in the face of rapid urbanization, as stated on the official websites. I began to reflect on this topic of World Migratory Bird Day created by the United Nations. First, I needed to understand: what is a migratry bird? Do birds naturally migrate to warmer climates to mate and lay eggs, and then return? That question sparked my curiosity as I explored the topic further. In any investigation or research, it is essential to use the 5 W’s: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. My “What” was to understand what I needed to know about these birds. Migratory birds are species that travel from one place to another at regular times of the year. When and why? Typically, they migrate between breeding and non-breeding (wintering) grounds. These journeys are often seasonal and can cover thousands of kilometers. Where? Mostly to warmer regions such as Seychelles and other islands. In Seychelles, for instance, there is Bird Island, named after the migratory birds. The island is known for the birds that come to breed, and some locals traditionally collected the eggs during those times and share with the public.