Press Release ‘Media Freedom Helping to Transform Society’
Last Updated on Wednesday, 02 May 2012 17:30 Written by Administrator Wednesday, 02 May 2012 16:25
Press Release
‘Media Freedom Helping to Transform Society’
Every year, May 3rd is a date which is set aside to commemorate the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
The day which was proclaimed World Press Freedom Day by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 following a recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991 serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom. It is 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.
This year's theme, "Media Freedom Helping to Transform Society" indeed captures the fact that guaranteeing media freedoms will help transform the lives of the people and ultimately many nations. With these freedoms, governments are held accountable and the status quo is challenged.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition commemorates this day as a reminder to the government of Zimbabwe of the need to respect its commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
Read : The Coalition’s Press statement.