Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 03, 2015 News
As hundreds of nations across the globe celebrate World Press Freedom Day today, gender equality and media safety, particularly in a digital age, have been placed high on the list of priorities as the day is observed.
Celebrated each year on May 3, World Press Freedom Day will be observed this year under the theme ‘Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality, & Media Safety in the Digital Age.’
According to a joint statement issued from the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, human rights must be respected for peace to be lasting and sustainable development.
The officials also made a call for more voices to speak out and be heard, particularly those of women.
“Twenty years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, women remain underrepresented throughout the media at decision-making level but also in the coverage of issues. We cannot let this stand; men and women must participate equally in making and sharing the news,” the officials emphasised.
Worldwide, only 26 percent of women hold positions in media governance.
“Everyone must be free to seek, receive and impart knowledge and information on all media, online and offline,” the statement read. It went on, “Quality journalism enables citizens to make informed decisions about their society’s development. It also works to expose injustice, corruption and the abuse of power.”
According to the officials, at least one journalist is killed each week in conflict and non-conflict zones. Deeming the killings as “horrendous attacks”, the joint statement continued, “We must redouble efforts to enhance the safety of journalists and put an end to impunity.”
Meanwhile, though the official observance is today, the United Nations on Friday commemorated the day with a moment of silence for journalists killed in the line of duty.
During discussions, the importance of greater gender equality in the media and the safety of journalists in the digital age where protection from surveillance is becoming increasingly important were listed as paramount target areas.
During his remarks, General Assembly President Sam Kutesa said that 22 years after the day was established, delegations still gathered to express their utmost respect to the many courageous men and women who brave hazardous terrain and dangerous environments to tell the important stories the world needs to hear.
“These men and women go about their critical work in often inhospitable environments. From the comfort and safety of our homes and workplaces, we can learn about important issues around the world, including some dark and troubling events,” he said. Kutesa also stressed that journalists bridged the information gap and, through their work, people are able to learn about discoveries and innovations shaping the world.
“Without them, we would have difficulty knowing about positive developments in the furthest corners of the world. In the same way, we would never hear the cries that are being silenced or the injustices being committed. We may never know of abuses being perpetrated, hostages being taken or lives brutally stolen,” Kutesa said.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights indicates that there is freedom for all to seek, receive and impart information, regardless of borders should not be tampered with.
However, more than 40 journalists and media staff have already been killed around the world for 2015 while others are being held hostage or have simply disappeared.
During the meeting, freedom of expression and press freedom were also noted as essential to success at every level as countries accelerate their efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals before the 2015 deadline.
Every May 3, the world 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. World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993.
Like many other countries, Guyana observes World Press Freedom Day. However, improvements in the areas of freedom of information and press freedom are still needed here; the 2015 World Press Freedom Index showed that Guyana still remains a nation with “noticeable problems” with press freedom.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
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