Press Freedom is Fundamental to Democracy- UNESCO

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has said press freedom is fundamental to institutionalization of democracy.

Speaking on Friday in Abuja at the United Nations House, the Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO Regional Office Abuja, Mr Philippe Delange, in his speech to commemorate the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day organised by UNESCO in collaboration with UN Information Centre (UNIC), commemoration of the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day organised by UNESCO in collaboration with UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Abuja, said that “without press freedom, democracy was a shadow of itself.”

The day which had the theme: “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all Other Human Rights,” also coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Conference Programme of Action on Human Rights.

World Press Freedom Day was established by the UN General Assembly to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.

Delange said: “Freedom of the press is the cornerstone of democratic society,” adding that: “Without a debate of ideas, without verified facts, without diversity of perspectives, democracy is a shadow of itself and World Press Freedom Day was established to remind us of this.”

He said: “For the international community, it is first and foremost a question of combating the impunity that still surround crimes of which journalists are victims, with nearly nine out of ten murders of journalists going unpunished.”

Delange also said the UN had the Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which UNESCO had been leading for ten years.

He explained that the action plan ensured that independent media can continue to exist, noting that: “With the digital revolution, the information landscape and its modes of production and distribution have been radically disrupted, jeopardizing the viability of independent professional media.”

He however decried that 30 years after the first World Press Freedom Day, a lot had happened and lots more needed to be done as well.

He said it was an opportunity to renew commitment within international organisations to defending journalists and ensuring press freedom.

On his part, the UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigerian, Mr Matthias Schmale said having freedom of expression and seeking information fostered intellectual growth and contribute to social and political progress.

He said: “A free press is essential, if we want truth, justice, and accountability to flourish,” while regretting that press freedom remained under threat in many parts of the world, lamenting that speech was being repressed both online and offline.

He said truth is undermined by disinformation and hate speech, while media workers face mounting threats, including women journalists living in fear of violence in many parts of the world.

He said World Press Freedom Day reminds all that freedom of expression, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a prerequisite for the enjoyment of all other rights.

He said: “We all have a responsibility to support and protect those who risk their lives speaking truth to power.

“UNESCO will continue to lead UN efforts to keep media professionals safe and help them seek justice.

“I call on government, CSOs and citizens to promote and protect press freedom.

“Together, we can shape a future of rights where journalists can tell the stories that need to be told.”

Executive Secretary,National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Anthony Ojukwu, said the commission was aware of several bills proposed at the National Assembly for the purpose of gagging the media.

Ojukwu, who was represented by the Commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Mrs Agharese Arese, said NHRC would continue to work with other stakeholders to ensure that the right to freedom of expression and the press was exercised within the ambit of the law.

He said: “Whereas, the social and digital media has been criticised for encroaching on privacy rights and fuelled hate statements. We believe in the sufficiency of our laws for individuals affected to seek civil legal remedies.

“The NHRC is passionate about the protection of the rights of Nigerians which includes journalists.”

Deputy Dean, Post Graduate Studies, Baze University Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, said freedom was priceless while it could be denied in diverse ways.

He said freedom can be denied through regulations, intimidation, harassment, denial of rights which can be politically motivated or otherwise.

He said people could engage in peaceful protests, advocacies, dialogues to fight efforts targeted at gagging the media.

Adeniyi added that freedom of expression was an integral part of human rights and a viable democracy.

Mr John Attah, Programme Director, Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria, called on stakeholders to protect journalists while they do their jobs.

Press Freedom is Fundamental to Democracy- UNESCO