Press freedom day being observed today
ISLAMABAD: The World Press Freedom Day is being observed on Monday by journalists and media organisations to renew their commitment to the fundamental principles of press freedom and pay tribute to mediapersons who scarified their lives in the line of duty.
This year, the day will highlight the importance of freedom of information as an integral part of freedom of expression and its contribution to democratic governance. Representative bodies of journalists, press clubs and other media-related organisations across the country will hold meetings to celebrate the day.
The day has assumed special significance in the backdrop of soaring death toll of journalists across the world. As many as 17 mediapersons have been killed in April alone this year, according to the International News Safety Institute (INSI).
Most of the killings have taken place in Honduras, Mexico, Pakistan, Colombia and Nigeria. The INSI has backed the call for one minute’s silence in newsrooms around the world to honour more than 1,500 journalists who were killed while trying to cover stories over the past 14 years.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in his message on the occasion said the media in the country had played and continued to play its role and enjoyed the freedom of information which represents an important instrument for the public to hold the government and other institutions accountable.
Freedom in any form has limitations meaning that it has to be discharged with responsibility. The Article 19 of the Constitution clearly guarantees the rights of freedom of expression to every citizen but also determines the parameters of responsibility. “We all need to strive together and reiterate our resolve that every one of us would use our rights and fulfill our responsibilities for the greater benefit of our people and our country,” Mr Gilani said.
According to Unesco, despite significant progress and emergence of a world community of advocates for freedom of information, there are still many factors constraining advance toward fully achieving its promise to empower individuals and further accountability, transparency and the fight against corruption.
Source: Dawn
Date:5/3/2010
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