Global Arab Network | World Press Freedom Day: World's Press Rallies to Journalists in Danger

Translate this article to your language:

GANPublications

e-Publications

Add Site to Favorites

Add Page to Favorites

Make Homepage

Share This Page

RSS Feed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| |

World Press Freedom Day: World's Press Rallies to Journalists in Danger

- Adam Turner

Saturday, 11 April 2009 22:37

The World Association of Newspapers is urging publications world-wide to show their support on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May, for journalists who put their lives in danger to get the news.
WAN, which represents 18,000 newspapers world-wide, is dedicating its 2009 World Press Freedom Day campaign to "Journalists in the Firing Line², and is producing editorials, advertisements, political cartoons, interviews and other materials for publication in newspapers and other media on 3 May.

"Day after day, journalists investigate and file reports on issues they know can lead to harassment, physical retaliation, arrest, prison and even death. On World Press Freedom Day, newspapers can help their readers better understand the contributions these journalists make to their societies, and the dangers they face in doing so,² said Timothy Balding, the CEO of the Paris-based WAN.

³Journalists in many countries are threatened, attacked and even murdered when they carry out their essential role of investigating corruption, organised crime, political violence and other acts carried out by those who fear exposure,² said Mr Balding. ³In most of these cases, the perpetrators of these crimes go unpunished.

³The majority of the world¹s population does not enjoy the basic human right of freedom of expression, and journalists who are courageous enough to report on sensitive issues in repressive countries are often Œrewarded¹ with a jail sentence, or worse,² he said.

More that 70 journalists were killed world-wide last year, at least 670 were arrested, and 125 remain in prison.

Global Arab Network

Add comment

The opinions of the authors in articles published are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Arab Network
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published comments are the opinions of private individuals and do not reflect the views of Global Arab Network