The United Nations has said that the media freedom is under siege and environmental journalism is an increasingly dangerous profession.
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres who disclose this in a statement to celebrate World Press Freedom Day on 3rd April, revealed that dozens of journalists covering illegal mining, logging, poaching and other environmental issues have been killed in recent decades.
According to him, “In the vast majority of cases, no one has been held to account. The world is going through an unprecedented environmental emergency which poses an existential threat to this and future generations.
“People need to know about this – and journalists and media workers have a key role in informing and educating them. Local, national, global media outlets can highlight stories about the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice”.
Guterres pointed out that through media work, people come to understand the plight of the planet, and are mobilized, empowered to take action for change, adding that media workers also document environmental degradation.
“And they provide evidence of environmental vandalism that helps hold those responsible to account. But surprisingly some powerful people, companies and institutions will stop at nothing to prevent environmental journalists from doing their jobs”.
He said, “UNESCO reports that in the past fifteen years, there have been some 750 attacks on journalists and news outlets reporting on environmental issues. And the frequency of such attacks is rising.
“Legal processes are also misused to censor, silence, detain and harass environmental reporters, while a new era of climate disinformation focuses on undermining proven solutions, include renewable energy. But environmental journalists are not the only ones at risk”, he said.
UN Chief noted that around the world, media workers are risking their lives trying to bring news on everything from war to democracy. “I am shocked, appalled by the high number of journalists killed in Israeli military operations in Gaza.
“The United Nations recognizes the invaluable work of journalists and media professionals to ensure that the public is informed and engaged.
“Without facts, we cannot fight mis- and disinformation. Without accountability, we won’t have strong policies in place. Without press freedom, we won’t have any freedom. A free press is not a choice, but a necessity. Our World Press Freedom Day is very important”, Guterres said.
He therefore called on governments, the private sector and civil society to join the United Nations in reaffirming commitment to safeguarding press freedom and the rights of journalists and media professionals around the world.
United States Secretary of States, Antony Blinken in a statement on Friday, said each year on World Press Freedom Day, the world celebrates the importance of journalism and recognizes the integral role a vibrant, independent media plays in democratic societies.
He added that the free flow of accurate information, ideas, and opinions, including dissenting ones, is essential for transparent, responsive, and inclusive governance.
Blinken revealed that in pursuit of truth, journalists face unprecedented danger just for doing their jobs, adding that more journalists were killed in 2023 than in any year in recent memory.
He said, “Authoritarian governments and non -state actors continue to use disinformation, propaganda to undermine social discourse and impede journalists’ efforts to inform the public, hold governments accountable, and bring the truth to light.
“Governments that fear truthful reporting have proved willing to target individual journalists, including through the misuse of commercial spyware and other surveillance technologies.
“On World Press Freedom Day, we call on nations to do more to protect journalists, and we reiterate our unwavering support for free and independent media around the world”, the Secretary said.