SEPTEMBER 28, is the World News Day and more than 120 newsrooms across the world, including The Star, are marking it by highlighting the critical role that journalism and professional newsrooms play in helping citizens make sense of the world.

World News Day is an initiative driven by the Canadian Journalism Foundation and the World Editors Forum, the network for editors within the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA).

It was initiated in Canada in 2018, and this is the first year it is being celebrated as one integrated global event. World News Day deliberately coincides with the UN International Day for Access to Information, in recognition of the importance of the right to know – for both journalists and citizens.

As pointed out by World Editors Forum president Warren Fernandez, this is not an occasion for journalists to pat themselves on the back for the work they do. Rather, he said, the focus is on “how journalists go about reporting on issues that matter to our audiences.”

Added Fernandez, who is also the editor-in-chief of The Straits Times, Singapore, it is important for newsrooms to underline the contribution they make because: “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. These are hallmarks of professional newsrooms.”

Here are some of the stories and editorial columns from around the world to show why #JournalismMatters.