Journalism is not a crime – UN
MANZINI
– The United Nation (UN) has observed that journalism is not a
crime.
Speaking during the US Embassy World Press Freedom Day, UN Human Rights Senior Advisor Laila Nazarali, quoted UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ comment that journalism was not a crime but under the guise of fake news and misuse of terrorism laws, governments around the world were restricting the voice of the media.
“Journalism has been the conscience.
“Without journalists, some of the most significant stories to impact our planet would have been swept under the carpet.
“There is an international legal framework and there are strict conditions under which freedom of expression can be restricted under international human rights law.
Moral
“The Kingdom of Eswatini has specific human rights obligations, not just a moral duty to protect journalists.
“When journalism is compromised, we cannot protect human rights because if we cannot exercise our right to freedom of expression, how can we exercise any other human rights?” she quizzed.
Nazarali said everyone had a role to play in protecting and promoting human rights.
She admonished students of Journalism and said the work they were going to do as journalists in the future would be critical in protecting and promoting human rights.
She added that World Press Freedom Day was a day of support for media, which was often targeted for restrictions on the freedom of expression.
He said it was also a day of remembrance for those journalists who had lost their lives and those who had been imprisoned in the pursuit of the truth.
The global theme this year was ‘Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights.’ 2023 marked the 30th anniversary of the day and was hailed by many speakers as a day of enlightenment on media facts.
Freedom of expression is of paramount importance because it underpins all other rights. It is cross cutting.
“It is the lifeblood that nourishes healthy and vibrant societies.
As the UN Secretary General (SG) said: “All our freedom depends on press freedom”. Do not underestimate the power of your words in print, on social media, other digital platforms, television and radio, they have meaning.
Power
“You have the power and responsibility to shape and change the narrative, to seek the truth, to advocate for justice, transparency and accountability and to speak truth to power and give voice to the voiceless,” she added.
Nazarali paid tribute to The Nation magazine Editor Bheki Makhuba, who was convicted and imprisoned in 2014 for contempt of court following allegations of an article published by The Nation challenging Judicial independence.
In 2015, Makhubu was acquitted by the Supreme Court and released from prison on appeal.
The US Embassy World Press Day was headlined by an address from Professor Alan Buck, who addressed issues around freedom of expression in the US and also spoke about the Eswatini media environment from an outsider’s point of view.