The United Nations has disclosed that 67 media workers were killed in 2022, says an unbelievable 50 per cent increase over the previous year, while nearly three quarters of women journalists experienced violence online, and one in four have been threatened physically.
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres who made this known in a statement to celebrate World Press Freedom Day, May 3th, said a decades ago, the UN established a Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists to protect media workers and end impunity for crimes committed against them.
According to him, “On this and every World Press Freedom Day, the world must speak with one voice. Stop the threats and attacks. Journalists and media workers are directly targeted on and offline as they carry out their vital work.
“They are routinely harassed, intimidated, detained imprisoned. Stop detaining and imprisoning journalists for doing their jobs. Stop the lies and disinformation. Stop targeting truth and truth-tellers. As journalists stand up for truth, the world stands with them”.
Guterres noted that freedom of the press is the foundation of democracy and justice. “It gives all of us the facts we need to shape opinions and speak truth to power. And as this year’s theme reminds us, press freedom represents the very lifeblood of human rights.
“But in every corner of the world, freedom of the press is under attack. Truth is threatened by disinformation and hate speech seeking to blur the lines between fact and fiction, between science and conspiracy.
“The increased concentration of the media industry into the hands of a few, the financial collapse of scores of independent news organizations, and an increase of national laws and regulations that stifle journalists are further expanding censorship and threatening freedom of expression”, he added.
Press Day: How Govts used repression tools to shutdown media
Also, the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has said that far too many governments of the World use repression to silence free expression, including through reprisals against journalists for simply doing their jobs.
Blinken who disclosed this in a statement released to mark 30th annual World Press Freedom Day on May 3th, said United States extends its deep gratitude to the remarkable journalists, media professionals around the world.
He hailed the work of these professionals whose work ensures the flow of information and ideas that form the lifeblood of free and open societies.
According to him, “Today we also reflect on the tremendous sacrifice paid by so many journalists in performing this noble vocation”, the Secretary said.
Blinken reiterated US’s call on Russian authorities to immediately release Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and all other journalists held for exercising freedom of expression.
He said further that imprisonment is not the only threat reporters face. “Journalists covering violent conflict and corruption are subjected to intimidation and abduction, often perpetrated with impunity.
“Elsewhere, journalists face discrimination, censorship, and weaponized justice systems. Governments around the world have used various tools of repression to force media outlets to close”, Blinken added.
Secretary of State, noted that on this World Press Freedom Day, United States rededicate itself to protecting Press Freedom at home and promoting it across the globe.