World Press Freedom Day which is celebrated every 3rd day of May, is an occasion to remind the world of the importance of protecting the fundamental human right of freedom of expression enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The 3rd of May was proclaimed World Press Freedom Day the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991.
It is a date which celebrates 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.
It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom - a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.
It is also a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favor of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide.
With violence against media professionals constituting today one of the greatest threats to freedom of expression, it is indeed fitting to dedicate World Press Freedom Day 2007 to the theme of journalist safety and impunity.
Over the past decade, we have witnessed a dramatic escalation of violence against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel. In many countries around the world, media professionals are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.
About 75 journalists and 32 media staff were killed last year, according to Reporters without Borders, making 2006 the deadliest year on record.
According to professional organizations, 2006 was the bloodiest year on record with over 150 media killings. Hundreds more media workers were arrested, threatened or attacked because of their work.
Being a journalist has never been more dangerous. Never in recorded history has there been such a large-scale killing of journalists.
World Press Freedom Day is a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Words can save lives but words like swords can also kill people. It is hoped that the media practitioners will opt the first. As the celebrate World Press Freedom Day, it is hoped that the media practitioners will reflect on ways to propagate values that respect the media’s vital role in promoting sustainable peace, democracy and development.
It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
Those who risk their lives to provide independent and reliable information deserve our admiration, respect and support. They understand better than anyone that media contributes significantly to processes of accountability, reconstruction and reconciliation. Indeed, the growth in violence against journalist is telling, if tragic, testimony to the importance of the media to modern democracies.
On this day, Region 8 remembers Monching Noblejas as a person, a media man who sacrificed his life in the exercise of his profession. The onus is on the judiciary and those concerned, to prove their value and worth for this day, by bringing those responsible for Noblejas’ murder to justice. Otherwise, the significance of the day will be ever-elusive for this island Region.
This day serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.
The safety of journalists is an issue that affects us all. Every aggression against a journalist is an attack on our most fundamental freedoms. Press freedom and freedom of expression cannot be enjoyed without basic security.
On World Press Freedom Day, therefore, everyone must pledge to strengthen the efforts to secure journalist safety.
In particular, this is a call on each and everyone to help the governments and public authorities to end the pervasive culture of impunity that surrounds violence against journalists.
The Governments must fulfill their responsibility to ensure that crimes against media professionals are investigated and prosecuted, but without the cooperation and support of the people, the relatives and all sectors of the community, this government’s thrust will always be an elusive dream. Above all, let everyone appreciate the intimate relationship between securing the safety of journalists and realizing our own freedoms. The ability to act as informed citizens of the world depends on a media that can work freely and safely.
Lastly, despite the tagging of the Philippines and Afghanistan as the most dangerous places in Asia in 2006, the Philippines a free and untrammeled press. We have Reporters who can cover every nook and cranny of the political, economic, social, and security every hour of the day.
Though a number of media men has been slain in the conduct of their profession but the Government has investigated these cases, and in many instances, suspects have been identified and cases filed and no journalist is in jail for the practice of his or her profession.
The 3rd of May was proclaimed World Press Freedom Day the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991.
It is a date which celebrates 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.
It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom - a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.
It is also a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favor of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide.
With violence against media professionals constituting today one of the greatest threats to freedom of expression, it is indeed fitting to dedicate World Press Freedom Day 2007 to the theme of journalist safety and impunity.
Over the past decade, we have witnessed a dramatic escalation of violence against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel. In many countries around the world, media professionals are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.
About 75 journalists and 32 media staff were killed last year, according to Reporters without Borders, making 2006 the deadliest year on record.
According to professional organizations, 2006 was the bloodiest year on record with over 150 media killings. Hundreds more media workers were arrested, threatened or attacked because of their work.
Being a journalist has never been more dangerous. Never in recorded history has there been such a large-scale killing of journalists.
World Press Freedom Day is a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Words can save lives but words like swords can also kill people. It is hoped that the media practitioners will opt the first. As the celebrate World Press Freedom Day, it is hoped that the media practitioners will reflect on ways to propagate values that respect the media’s vital role in promoting sustainable peace, democracy and development.
It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
Those who risk their lives to provide independent and reliable information deserve our admiration, respect and support. They understand better than anyone that media contributes significantly to processes of accountability, reconstruction and reconciliation. Indeed, the growth in violence against journalist is telling, if tragic, testimony to the importance of the media to modern democracies.
On this day, Region 8 remembers Monching Noblejas as a person, a media man who sacrificed his life in the exercise of his profession. The onus is on the judiciary and those concerned, to prove their value and worth for this day, by bringing those responsible for Noblejas’ murder to justice. Otherwise, the significance of the day will be ever-elusive for this island Region.
This day serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.
The safety of journalists is an issue that affects us all. Every aggression against a journalist is an attack on our most fundamental freedoms. Press freedom and freedom of expression cannot be enjoyed without basic security.
On World Press Freedom Day, therefore, everyone must pledge to strengthen the efforts to secure journalist safety.
In particular, this is a call on each and everyone to help the governments and public authorities to end the pervasive culture of impunity that surrounds violence against journalists.
The Governments must fulfill their responsibility to ensure that crimes against media professionals are investigated and prosecuted, but without the cooperation and support of the people, the relatives and all sectors of the community, this government’s thrust will always be an elusive dream. Above all, let everyone appreciate the intimate relationship between securing the safety of journalists and realizing our own freedoms. The ability to act as informed citizens of the world depends on a media that can work freely and safely.
Lastly, despite the tagging of the Philippines and Afghanistan as the most dangerous places in Asia in 2006, the Philippines a free and untrammeled press. We have Reporters who can cover every nook and cranny of the political, economic, social, and security every hour of the day.
Though a number of media men has been slain in the conduct of their profession but the Government has investigated these cases, and in many instances, suspects have been identified and cases filed and no journalist is in jail for the practice of his or her profession.
