JOINT MESSAGE FROM THE UNITED NATIONS, UNESCO AND THE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSIONER ON OCCASION OF WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
Paris, April 28 {No.2000-42} - On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day,
celebrated on May 3, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi
Annan, the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, and the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, issued the
following joint message:
"On this first World Press Freedom Day of the new century, and in
the context of the International Year of the Culture of Peace, we urge all
actors in conflict situations around the world - governments, local
authorities and armed forces - to protect the rights of all citizens to
reliable information and the right of journalists to provide it without
fearing for their security, their freedom or their life.
"In every society, freedom of the press is essential to
transparency, accountability, good governance and the rule of law. It cannot
be suppressed without dire consequences for social cohesion and stability.
When it is sacrificed, whatever the reasons invoked, the chances are that
conflict is not far down the road. All States should ratify the relevant
international human rights instruments and should scrutinise their domestic
legal systems with a view to bringing them into line with international
standards governing the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
"In times of conflict, the media's responsibilities for independent
and pluralistic reporting are more important than ever. They can help to
prevent the worst atrocities. But when the belligerents see freedom of
expression as an enemy to their cause and the media as a tool for
propaganda, journalists who attempt to report in a non-partisan way face
pressure, manipulation, intimidation, or even elimination. And when they are
forced to leave, the cycle of violence does not end. The only remaining
eye-witnesses - aid workers and local residents - often become the next
targets.
"In the aftermath of war, the establishment of a free and independent press
offers a way out of mistrust and fear, into an environment where true
dialogue is possible because people can think for themselves and base their
opinions on facts.
"Particular attention should be given to ensuring that women's voices are
heard. Women are often the first ones affected by armed conflict. It is,
therefore, right and indeed necessary that women have full access to
information and that they be there to cover the issues, with equal strength
and in equal numbers. Governments are urged to do all they can to overcome
any formal and cultural obstacles to the exercise by women of their right to
freedom of expression.
"Wherever their independence or security is threatened - whether in
repressive societies, in times of conflict or in post-conflict situations -
local journalists must be supported and protected in their efforts to
maintain a flow of fair and independent information. The international media, too, have an important role to play,
in providing non-partisan coverage of conflicts and in calling the world's
attention to humanitarian crises, human rights abuses and other situations
where oblivion would be the worst fate for suffering human beings.
"The international community must keep on seeking to remedy severe
violations of press freedom. On behalf of our organisations, and in the
interest of knowledge, justice and peace, we promise to explore every
approach that offers hope of enabling the media to carry out their
invaluable and often dangerous work."
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