“Journalists hold people in power to account. They equip us with the knowledge to make decisions affecting our lives. They share stories that offer hope for our future; exposing truths we may otherwise never hear.
“Journalists make great sacrifices to bring us the truth,” said Gianluca Rampolla, UN Resident Coordinator in Papua New Guinea.
He said too often, journalists lose their security, their jobs, their freedom, wellbeing and even their lives in doing so. Therefore, the safety of journalists must be guaranteed, and press freedom must be strengthened. Legislation to protect independent journalism and plurality of viewpoints must be adopted to shape opinions.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also calls on governments to strengthen press freedom, and to protect journalists.
In his message he said “A free press is essential for peace, justice and human rights for all. It is crucial to building transparent and democratic societies and keeping those in power accountable”.
(Red highlights countries with threatened democracies)