TCI Free Press

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Press freedom
  • Press conference
  • Press minister
  • Press briefing
  • Press funding

TCI Free Press

TCI Free Press

  • Home
  • Press freedom
  • Press conference
  • Press minister
  • Press briefing
  • Press funding
Press freedom
Home›Press freedom›Statement by President Joe Biden on World Press Freedom Day

Statement by President Joe Biden on World Press Freedom Day

By Mollie M. Molyneux
May 3, 2021
0
0
Share:

Thirty years ago today, in the face of constant pressure and violence, African journalists came together to issue the Windhoek Declaration, which affirmed that “[t]The establishment, maintenance and promotion of an independent, pluralistic and free press are essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation, as well as to economic development. Then, as today, we celebrate the courage of truth-tellers who refuse to be intimidated, often at great personal risk, and we reaffirm the timeless and essential role that journalism and free media play in societies of the whole world.

Journalists uncover the truth, verify abuses of power and demand transparency from those in power. They are essential to the functioning of democracy. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, journalists and media professionals have been on the front lines of keeping the public informed, at significant risk to their own health. And, in a time when the truth is increasingly under attack, our need for accurate and factual reporting, open public conversation and accountability has never been greater.

It is incumbent upon all of us to counter these threats to free and independent media, including physical risks and arbitrary detention. The Committee to Protect Journalists found that in 2020 a record number of journalists were imprisoned around the world. Online abuse and harassment of journalists, especially women and journalists of color, continues to rise. Authoritarians work to undermine the free press, manipulate the truth or spread disinformation even as a declining news industry increasingly creates “information deserts,” areas without local media , in the whole world. These attacks are nothing less than a threat to democracies around the world.

Today, World Press Freedom Day, we celebrate the fierce bravery of journalists around the world. We recognize the essential role that a free press plays in building prosperous, resilient and free societies. And we recommit to protecting and promoting free, independent and diverse media around the world.

###

Tagscommittee protectfree pressjournalists mediapress freedomprotect journalistsworld press
Previous Article

Vice President Arrives in Barclayville Ahead of ...

Next Article

Belize drops to 53rd in 2021 World ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Press freedom

    Modi featured in RSF’s “Predators of Press Freedom” with Imran Khan and Kim Jong-un

    July 6, 2021
    By Mollie M. Molyneux
  • Press freedom

    A “monumental achievement” for press freedom

    July 22, 2021
    By Mollie M. Molyneux
  • Press freedom

    Imprisoned Wuhan Journalist Zhang Zhan Nominated for RSF Press Freedom Prize | freedom of the press

    November 8, 2021
    By Mollie M. Molyneux
  • Press freedom

    Hong Kong experiences worst year ever for press freedom amid battle with China: ‘In tatters’

    July 15, 2021
    By Mollie M. Molyneux
  • Press freedom

    Press freedom downward spiral continues after Hong Kong arrests

    December 29, 2021
    By Mollie M. Molyneux
  • Press freedom

    Ethiopia’s civil war shatters once-high hopes for press freedom

    December 9, 2021
    By Mollie M. Molyneux

  • Press minister

    Itinerary of Minister Guilbeault at MoCA6 and departure from Stockholm+50/

  • Press conference

    Secretary Xavier Becerra’s remarks during the press conference in response to President Biden’s directive following the overthrow of Roe v. wade

  • Press minister

    Yukon education minister understands concerns over ‘radical change’ in COVID-19 policy

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions