World Press Freedom Day:
“Media for Democracy”
Today’s celebration of World Press Freedom Day centers on
the theme of “Media for Democracy: journalism and elections in times of
disinformation”.
By Vatican News
The numbers speak louder than words: 95 journalists killed
in the line of duty last year alone. 700 over the past ten years. 348
imprisoned.
The figures come from the International Federation of
Journalists. In its own report, issued in April this year, Reporters Without
Borders denounces “unprecedented violence” against journalists, claiming most
victims were “deliberately targeted” precisely because they were doing their
job. Still, journalists and reporters continue to risk their lives in conflict
zones, providing truthful and reliable coverage of world events, and
investigating stories of crime and corruption
World Press Freedom Index
One of the aims of World Press Freedom Day is to pay tribute
to journalists who have lost their lives in the field. Another is to assess the
state of press freedom throughout the world. The World Press Freedom Index,
compiled every year by Reporters Without Borders, does exactly that by
evaluating the state of journalism in 180 countries. Only 24 percent of those
countries are classified as “good”. Norway ranks top of the list in terms of
press freedom, with Turkmenistan at the bottom.
According to the 2019 Index, “The hostility towards
journalists expressed by political leaders in many countries has incited
increasingly serious and frequent acts of violence that have fueled an
unprecedented level of fear and danger for journalists”.
World Press Freedom Day
World Press Freedom Day was established by the United
Nations General Assembly in 1993 and has been celebrated every year since then.
This year’s theme of “Media for Democracy: journalism and elections in times of
disinformation”, discusses the challenges faced by media during elections,
along with the media’s potential in supporting peace and reconciliation
processes.
In announcing the theme, UN Secretary General, Antonio
Guterres, said: “No democracy is complete without access to transparent and
reliable information. It is the cornerstone for building fair and impartial
institutions, holding leaders accountable and speaking truth to power”.
Truthful reporting and peace journalism were highlighted by
Pope Francis in his Message for World Communications Day last year. In the
message, he calls journalists “protectors of news” and describes what they do
as “not just a job”, but a “mission”.
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