The need for protection of freedom of the press and opinion dominated speeches at an event to mark the 2019 World Press Freedom Day at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday, April 3.
Various speakers took turns to decry the “growing dangers to press freedom around the world’’, calling for action against those responsible.
In a message, UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, said he was “deeply troubled by the growing number of attacks and the culture of impunity’’ targeted at media workers around the world.
Almost 100 journalists were killed in 2018, with hundreds imprisoned, says the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
This brings to a total of 1,307 the number of journalists killed between 1994 and 2018, according to the organisation.
The UN chief noted that when journalists and other media workers are targeted, societies as a whole pay a price.
Guterres emphasised that “a free press is essential for peace, justice, sustainable development and human rights.”
On the theme of this year’s commemoration, ‘Media for democracy: Journalism and elections in times of disinformation,’ he stated that democracy was incomplete without access to transparent and reliable information.
“At a time when disinformation and mistrust of the news media is growing, a free press is essential for peace, justice, sustainable development and human rights,’’ he said.
In her statement, president of the UN General Assembly (PGA), Ms. Maria Espinosa, said she was marking the day with a “heavy heart”, citing the UNESCO’s statistics.
Espinosa noted that the media space was shrinking across the world, “as restrictive laws and policies are enacted, and media workers and their families are subjected to threats and reprisals.
“Women are disproportionately affected, contending with sexist abuse and sexual harassment online, as well as physical sexual violence, including rape. Too often, these attacks go unpunished,’’ she said.
The PGA said that high-quality journalism and diverse media was needed more than ever at a time when extremism, hate speech and lies spread “like wildfire.”
The director-general of UNESCO, Ms Audrey Azoulay, said it was important that freedom of opinion was guaranteed through free exchange of ideas and information “based on factual truths.
Azoulay said societies that valued a free press needed to be “constantly vigilant’’, adding that nations must act together to protect the freedom of expression and safety of journalists.
The Group of Friends for the Protection of Journalists also noted that freedom of expression was indispensable for good governance, informed decision-making, democracy, free and fair electoral processes and accountability of governments.
The event, which featured a panel discussion on the theme of the day, was organised by the UN Department of Global Communications and UNESCO
In Nigeria, the senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said there can be no good governance in any country where press freedom is not guaranteed.
Saraki stated this in a goodwill message at a conference in Abuja to mark day.
Organised by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) and the European Union’s Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, the theme of the conference was: “Press freedom in Nigeria: The rule of law, media and violent extremism.”
The senate president who was represented by the deputy minority whip of the senate, Senator Philip Aduda, declared: “We do appreciate that we cannot deliver good governance without a free press, and we are always available to work in tandem with the media to ensure a democratic society that serves us all.
“Clearly, if we truly wish to grow and preserve our democracy, we must understand that a free and pluralistic media environment that guarantees access to information is non-negotiable.
“When citizens have information, they are able to make informed choices due to the diversity of their viewpoints. When we have such a society, when citizens are not only well-informed but are free to express their valid opinions — without fear or prejudice — it is only then that we can truly say we are practising true democracy.
“This is because democracy has at its foundation the freedom of the press, which in turn promotes good governance, accountability and respect for human rights.
“The urgency of this is reflected in Nigeria’s ranking on the Global Press Freedom Index of 2019, where we are ranked 120 out of 180 countries, one step lower than our standing in 2018. In fact, other pointers would include the incidence of detention of journalists in this country.”
Another forum, a lawyer and rights campaigner, Mr. Ogedi Ogu of the Source Solicitors, said journalists worldwide are endangered in the discharge of their duties.
He hailed the Nigerian media for untiring efforts to bring enlightened opinion on societal issues to the front burner.
“I congratulate the Fourth Estate of the Realm for a thorough execution of their daily routines in news dissemination, and I urge them to keep faith with the practice of disseminating correct news.
“Although journalists are, sometimes, subjected to intimidations and oppressions, they must keep up the fight in ensuring publication of authentic news.
“The media must be encouraged to disseminate news truly and fairly, and must not be subjected to intimidation, harassment, threat or oppression,” he said.
With agency reports
