UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on all governments to do what they can to support media freedom, independence and pluralism, in a message on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.
In many countries, he notes Antonio Guterres, journalists and media workers face great personal risks, such as new restrictions, censorship, violence, harassment, pre-trial detention, and even death just because they do their job. The situation continues to worsen, he observes further.
In this context, he points out that despite the dramatic changes in the media over the last three decades, the urgent call for freedom of the press and free access to information is more relevant than ever. Free and independent journalism is our greatest ally in the fight against misinformation, he notes, and crystallizing its message, urging “to redouble our efforts to protect press freedom, so that information remains a lifeline for all.” .
At the beginning of his message, the UN Secretary-General referred to the global challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, emphasizing the crucial role of reliable, verified and universally accessible information for saving lives and building strong and resilient societies.
He then focuses on the role of journalists, noting that “they help us navigate a rapidly changing and often overloaded information landscape, while facing dangerous inaccuracies and untruths.”
Finally, Antonio Guterres talks about the economic consequences of the pandemic. “Many media outlets have been hit, threatening their very survival. As budgets shrink, so does access to reliable information. “Rumors, inaccuracies and extreme divisive opinions are coming to fill the gap.”
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