As Ghana joins the world to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day 2023, the United Nations General Secretary António Guterres is calling on all to help curb disinformation in the media landscape.
Journalists and media workers are also being urged to stand up for the truth always as they discharge their duties.
The world is also being admonished to stop detaining and imprisoning journalists for doing their work.
“At least 67 media workers were killed in 2022. An unbelievable 50% increase over the previous year. Nearly three-quarters of women journalists have experienced violence online, and one in four have been threatened physically” António Guterres said while delivering a message in commemoration of this year’s celebration which marks 30 years since the UN General Assembly’s decision proclaiming an international day for press freedom
World Press Freedom Day is a day celebrated by international communities on the 3rd of May every year to recognize the work of journalists and media workers.
Meanwhile, this year’s theme says Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all other human rights.”
According to the UN Secretary-General, the theme reminds the world that press freedom is the most important thing needed to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights.
To him, Press freedom represents the very lifeblood of human rights, adding that in every corner of the world, freedom of the press is under attack.
“Truth is threatened by disinformation and hate speech seeking to blur the lines between fact and fiction, between science and conspiracy. The increased concentration of the media industry into the hands of a few, the financial collapse of scores of independent news organizations, and an increase of national laws and regulations that stifle journalists are further expanding censorship and threatening freedom of expression” he emphasized.
Ten years ago, the United Nations established a plan of action on the safety of journalists to protect media workers and then the impunity for crimes committed against them.
In his view, Antinio said the world must speak with one voice during the annual World Press Freedom Day.
“Stop the threats and attacks. Stop detaining and imprisoning journalists for doing their jobs. Stop the lies and disinformation. Stop targeting truth and truth-tellers. As journalists stand up for truth, the world stands up with them” he said.
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Source: Rosemond Asmah/ATLFMNEWS
