May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day
On World Press Freedom Day, May 3rd, we urge you to consider the plight of journalists, bloggers and whistle-blowers around the globe; to follow the chain of information and action inherent in your area; to uphold the standards of your media and your government. This includes ensuring free access to information and to the promotion and safeguard of systems in place to disseminate information: traditional press and media, the Internet and social media. The subtle actions by corporations or government to throttle bandwidth, charge unfair fees, restrict licenses and block access to entry of competition are also issues of importance, and any policies that interfere with public access. We need to add our voice to the protest in parts of the world where access, voice or rights are being compromised or are banned either politically or systemically.
The United Nations declaration of Human Rights issued on December 10th, 1948 after WWII inscribed 30 articles. Article 19 deals with expression. It states:
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
Here is how countries stack up in 2914 at Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index (click on link to get to interactive map at RWB)
This year PEN International draws attention to the press freedom in Ethiopia, Turkey, Honduras and Russia. Read more here. An informed society who takes action can uphold the rights of others.
May 02, 2014
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