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Commission supports World Press Freedom Day |
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Thursday, 03 May 2007 |
The European Commission today said that freedom of information - and access to information - were basic human rights that should be available to everyone in the world.
Margot Wallström, Vice President of the European Commission, said:
"Free and active media providing full and fair information is a key
element in building democratic legitimacy and allowing citizens to
exercise their basic democratic rights.
"Just as we encourage open debate within the Union, the EU must promote
press freedom around the globe with all the means at its disposal.
Openness leads the way to stability and progress."
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations, said that
promoting democracy and human rights was central to the EU's foreign
policy.
"Freedom of expression is a fundamental right and an essential element
of a democratic discourse. A free press and journalists able to
exercise their profession without hindrance and intimidation is the
indispensable cornerstone of building vibrant civil societies and any
democratic reform process. We are providing active support to securing
these basic conditions in third countries."
One of the main themes of this year's World Press Freedom Day is the safety of journalists.
The Commission has again appealed strongly for the release of Alan
Johnston, the BBC’s Gaza correspondent, who has now been held for
nearly two months.
Ferrero-Waldner said: "His captors are doing the Palestinian people no
service by preventing him and others from doing their job - bringing
the story of life in Gaza to the outside world."
Established by the UN in 1993 and run by UNESCO, World Press Freedom
Day celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluates
press freedom around the world, defends the media from attacks on their
independence and pays tribute to journalists who have lost their lives
in the exercise of their profession.
This year’s prize has been awarded posthumously to Russian reporter Anna Politkovskaya.
The day serves as an occasion to inform people of violations of press
freedom - a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world
publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while
journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained
and even murdered.
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