Protecting freedom of the press

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate -Today is World Press Freedom Day and the theme for this year is “Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media”, with the focus on preventing acts of violence or discrimination against journalists and media personnel as they seek to report on the happenings around the world. However, it is fair when considering “press freedom” that one critiques the content of what the press is “free” to publish; for with freedom comes great responsibility. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has reaffirmed that freedom of expression is a “fundamental right on its own”, but also provides the conditions for protecting and promoting all other human rights. Herein lies the importance of the role of the media in today’s world; for in their effort to exercise freedom of expression, they seek to keep the masses informed and educated so that they too may accurately demonstrate their own freedom of expression. It is therefore crucial that “a safe environment for dialogue, where all can speak freely and openly, without fear of reprisal” is sustained in which journalists can operate. The Barbados Advocate supports the push for increased awareness of press freedoms and denounces the intimidation, censorship, violence and threats against members of this fraternity by any organisation, group or state anywhere around the world. The deaths of more than 600 journalists over the past ten years is a sad and unfortunate occurrence and should not be condoned or dismissed. We acknowledge their exceptional contributions and urge governments, especially those politically unstable and war torn nations, to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and seek to safeguard life and limb of media workers worldwide as they report on the state of affairs.