Press freedom and citizens’ knowledge
The World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint or abolition of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a story.
Every year, May 3 celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, to evaluate press freedom around the world and to defend the media from attacks on their independence.
At the core of UNESCO’s mandate is freedom of the press and freedom of expression. UNESCO believes that these freedoms allow for mutual understanding to build a sustainable peace.
The day serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom - a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.
It is a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favour of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide.
The UNESCO and Republic of Uruguay host this year’s WPD annual global conference in a hybrid format in Punta Del Este, Uruguay, with the theme “Journalism Under Digital Siege”.
This year’s conference reunites several stakeholders such as journalists, media representatives, cyber security managers, policymakers, activists as well as legal experts to explore the digital era’s impact on freedom of expression, access to information, the safety of journalists and privacy - with the aim of developing concrete solutions to address threats and pitfalls posed by increased surveillance to Press Freedom.
Free press is vital for national development and remains the best recipe to check and safeguard the dark side of power.
Freedom of information and access to information expand education and knowledge as well as promote justice and fairness that could translate into sustainable and qualitative development.
Independent and Free Press remain sacrosanct to corrupt leaders, culture of impunity and dictators. It suffices to say that with reliable, stable and independent media, corrupt elements can be checked.
These classes of people, if remain without surveillance, become sources of a serious threat to democratic system, cause instability and continue to keep nations in the woods. The resultant effect of giving serious attention to serious matters is incessant protests from the corners of the country, civil disturbance, rising unemployment, increasing wave of banditry and kidnapping and lots of atrocities all over the country.
It is, therefore, paramount to have free press with journalists of character and spirit to contribute and build institutions that will back-stop and outlive corrupt elements at national and sub-national levels.
It is also important for everyone to continuously exercise surveillance and safeguard the freedom of information and expression in the form of press freedom and protection of the safety of journalists and privacy.
Muazu Muazu is a broadcast journalist with Freedom Radio Kano email: muazumj@gmail.com