The timing -and location – is particularly important:  According to Freedom House, world press freedom has been declining since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

World Press Freedom Day was established in 1993 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Its purpose is to reaffirm the fundamentals of press freedom and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives.

World Press Freedom Day events this year will focus on media freedom in the digital age and is themed 21^st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers. This grant fits the goal of Knight’s freedom of information and expression work, which hopes to bring about greater public awareness of freedom as the underpinning of informed and engaged communities.

Watch Knight’s senior adviser to the president Eric Newton‘s talk on Monday at 9:45 a.m. EST as part of World Press Freedom Day events which can be watched live at http://iipconx.org/; and be sure to join the conversation: Tweet using the #wpfd hashtag, and like World Press Freedom Day 2011 on Facebook.

With a grant of $125,000 in matching funds, Knight is playing a leadership funding role by supporting the costs of hosting the event.

Freedom House Survey of Global Media Independence View more presentations from Knight Foundation.