LAHORE - In commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, Acting US Consul General Lahore Ted Gehr dedicated the new resource centre to the Lahore Press Club here on Thursday. On the occasion, Mr. Gehr cut a ribbon and placed a dedication plaque, officially inaugurating the resource centre. The resource centre was funded by a $10,000 (906,000 Rs) grant from the US Consulate General Lahore’s Public Affairs Section. The new resource centre will ensure that the Lahore Press Club’s over 1,200 members will be better able to perform their duty to inform the public – an essential role played by free and independent media in creating sustainable democracies and open, healthy societies.
“Today, on World Press Freedom Day and with the dedication of this resource centre, we pay special tribute to those courageous journalists, bloggers, and citizens who have sacrificed their lives, so that others could know the truth,”  Gehr remarked.

during the ribbon cutting ceremony. The $10,000 grant from the U.S. Consulate General for the resource centre included new computers, desks, and multi-media equipment. It also included an upgrade to the Lahore Press Club reference library with new books and bookcases.
May 3rd was proclaimed World Press Freedom Day by the UN General Assembly in 1993 to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence; and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
On the occasion, Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari, US Consulate General Lahore staff including Public Affairs Office Brinille Ellis, and Information Officer Leslie Goodman as well as office bearers of Lahore Press Club were also present.