BY JOY OFASIA
A high school teacher from Vura Community High School, Catherine Toito’ona has described students’ participation in this year’s World Press Freedom Day celebration as significant in helping young people develop an interest in journalism and future career opportunities.
Speaking during the World Press Freedom Day event on 4th May, the teacher said many students were attending the program for the first time and were able to gain valuable insight into the journalism profession today.
“As a high school teacher, I think this event is one of the very significant events for a lot of our students. For many of them, this is their first opportunity to attend such an event,” the teacher said.
The teacher explained that exposing students to journalism at a young age can inspire them to dream of becoming journalists in the future.
“I think it is very important because some students already dream of becoming journalists. Having the opportunity to attend this event is like an eye-opener for them,” the teacher said.
The theme of 2026 World Press Freedom Day “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security” is important for society.
Mrs Toito’ona said students were able to learn more about the challenges and importance of journalism through the sessions and discussions held during the program.
“They gain more information from the sessions and come to understand the significance of the work journalists do. It helps develop passion in them to become journalists one day,” the teacher added.
The teacher also stressed the importance of continuing the annual event and extending invitations to more schools in the future.
“For me, this kind of opportunity should be extended to other schools as well, so that more students can attend and learn about journalism,” the teacher said.
She said building students’ passion at a young age can help guide them toward future careers in the media industry and contribute positively to national development.
“Journalism is one of the important jobs for developing the country in the future. More students should have access to information about journalism so they can develop a pathway into the profession,” Mrs Toito’ona said.
