BILL HAWKE photo // Eagle @ the end of the pier

I'm writing this TNT to help celebrate World Press Freedom Day that was observed on May 3rd. 

Here at the White Rock Sun, we treat freedom of the press very seriously and attempt to bring the public a wide variety of stories and reports from the Semiahmoo peninsula that reflect the truth as we know it.  The White Rock Sun was established by Dave Chesney as Canada's first internet only newspaper 20 years ago and I have been writing my cheeky "The Naked Truth" TNT column for 19 years.  Not being mainstream or corporate news, the WR Sun is free to report on anything that we believe is newsworthy for the citizens of White Rock and South Surrey.  It has repeatedly attracted the ire of White Rock City Hall over the years with Editor and White Rock Councillor Dave Chesney often being targeted for continuing to run this ground-breaking form of electronic newspaper.  For myself, it has been an honour and privilege to write for the WR Sun with freedom of thought, purpose, perspective and almost no editorial control.  I find my own stories, I try to write them in an informative and entertaining style, hoping that people will enjoy them and possibly learn something along the way.

World Press Freedom Day was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 to help preserve press freedom, protect journalists from intimidation and violence, sustain democracy and hold power to account.  Unfortunately press freedom across the world continues to decline at an alarming rate with reporters and media institutions facing harassment, censorship, arrest, violence, torture and death.  UNESCO has reported that 78 journalists have died in the past year covering stories around the globe with many of these being killed in war zones.  Meanwhile, traditional media sources are faced with declining news coverage, reduced income from advertising, hostility towards journalists and a perceived lack of trust.  Large digital platforms, many based in the U.S.A., are siphoning off ad revenue while refusing to pay for news feeds generated in Canada.  The number of media company closures, by-outs or consolidations across Canada have continued unabated over the past decade and there is no reason to believe that this will reverse course anytime soon.  

The focus of this year's World Press Freedom Day is "Shaping a Future at Peace" with the following taken from the UNESCO website:  

By fostering access to reliable information, accountability, dialogue and trust, press freedom and independent journalism are key to peace, economic recovery, sustainable development, and human rights.  According to UNESCO’s World Trends Report 2022–2025, press freedom has experienced its steepest decline since 2012.  This decline is comparable to that seen during the most unstable periods of the 20th century – the two world wars and the Cold War.

Information manipulation, including the use of AI by malicious actors, is weakening trust and national security. At the same time, independent media face growing economic fragility.  Self-censorship has grown by more than 60%, driven by fear of reprisals, online harassment, judicial intimidation, and economic pressure.  World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2026 offers a critical moment to reaffirm freedom of expression and to align journalism, technology (including AI), and human rights actors around practical ways to strengthen information ecosystems for the future.  Hosted in Lusaka, Zambia, WPFD 2026 brings together press freedom advocates and digital rights communities at a time when the boundaries between journalism, technology, civic space, and human rights are increasingly intertwined.

World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference.  Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.  May 3 acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.

It is an opportunity to:

• celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom;

• assess the state of press freedom throughout the world;

• defend the media from attacks on their independence;

• and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Three major projects are up for a vote and they represent a massive shift for the Semiahmoo Town Centre area.

The proposal for two 20-story mixed-use towers at 152 Street and 18 Avenue. This would bring a significant new residential and commercial footprint to one of our busiest corridors.

Between Tim Horton's & Semiahoo Mall

Council also approved a 12-story mixed-use building spanning multiple lots near 152 Street and 16 Avenue, including the area near Martin Drive.

Between the South Surrey Library & McDonalds restaurant

White Rock Fire Rescue Reminds Residents to Be “In It Together”

Emergency Preparedness Week, May 3 to 9

White Rock Fire Rescue encourages residents to be “In It Together” this Emergency Preparedness Week, May 3 to 9, 2026. Get connected and know the risks through a local course, webinar, or by building social connections. Emergency preparedness and readiness are strengthened when we look out for one another.

Free Disaster Preparedness Courses
White Rock will be hosting FREE Disaster Preparedness Workshops on May 1, 2026, with Jackie Kloosterboer, Disaster Preparedness Specialist, at the Kent Street Activity Centre. Times and topics are below:

• Pets Count Too – Emergency Planning for Your Furry Friends | 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Ready, Set…Go Bag – Simple Emergency Kits Made Easy  | 12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

• When the Lines Go Quiet – How Families Stay Connected During Outages| 1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

“Emergency Preparedness Week is a reminder to White Rock residents and visitors that preparedness is strengthened by community,” said Mayor Megan Knight. “It reflects the connections we build with our families, our neighbours, and the people around us. I encourage everyone to attend the Disaster Preparedness Workshops, talk to your neighbours, build emergency plans together, and remember we are ‘In It Together White Rock.’”

White Rock Fire Rescue recommends taking the following actions this Emergency Preparedness Week:

• Get Connected: Social connection can strengthen readiness during an emergency. Introduce yourself to someone in your neighbourhood and establish trust before an emergency happens.

• Get Educated: Preparedness before an emergency strengthens your resilience:

• Know the hazards: Get familiar with hazards that impact your community. In White Rock, this includes wildfires, hazardous material spills, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

• Gather your supplies: Develop an emergency kit and a grab-and-go bag. Don’t forget supplies for your pets.

• Make an Emergency Plan: Build an emergency plan  so you and the people you live with know what to do in an emergency.

“In a major emergency, residents must be prepared to support themselves and their community for a minimum of 72 hours” said Fire Chief Brad Davie. “Your readiness makes a critical difference. This Emergency Preparedness Week, make an emergency plan and gather the supplies your household will need. Preparedness is a shared responsibility, and it starts at home.”  

Helpful Resources & Links

• White Rock Fire Rescue shares the essential items you should have in your emergency kit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzrz9W2WQVI

• The PreparedBC team will host a Preparedness Through Connection webinar on May 7, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Register online  

• Get connected, know the risks, gather your supplies, and make a plan with the following PreparedBC Emergency Preparedness guides and resources