UN secretary general’s message on World Press Freedom Day (May 03)

Photo credit: www.mediabistro.com

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But around the world, there are governments and those wielding power who find many ways to obstruct it.

They impose high taxes on newsprint, making newspapers so expensive that people can’t afford to buy them. Independent radio and TV stations are forced off the air if they criticize Government policy. The censors are also active in cyberspace, restricting the use of the Internet and new media.

Some journalists risk intimidation, detention and even their lives, simply for exercising their right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, through any media, and regardless of frontiers.

Last year, UNESCO condemned the killing of 77 journalists. These were not high-profile war correspondents, killed in the heat of battle. Most of them worked for small, local publications in peacetime. They were killed for attempting to expose wrongdoing or corruption.

I condemn these murders and insist that the perpetrators are brought to justice. All Governments have a duty to protect those who work in the media. This protection must include investigating and prosecuting those who commit crimes against journalists.

Impunity gives the green light to criminals and murderers, and empowers those who have something to hide. Over the long term, it has a corrosive and corrupting effect on society as a whole.

This year’s theme is Freedom of Information: the right to know. I welcome the global trend towards new laws which recognize the universal right to publicly held information.

Unfortunately, these new laws do not always translate into action. Requests for official information are often refused, or delayed, sometimes for years. At times, poor information management is to blame. But all too often, this happens because of a culture of secrecy and a lack of accountability.

We must work to change attitudes and to raise awareness. People have a right to information that affects their lives, and states have a duty to provide this information.  Such transparency is essential to good government.

The United Nations stands with persecuted journalists and media professionals everywhere. Today, as everyday, I call on Governments, civil society and people around the world to recognize the important work of the media, and to stand up for freedom of information.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

6 Comments

  1. too much scret deals
    May 4, 2010

    The UN Secretary General’s words should encourage Dominicans to fear know more and to fight consistently for the right to be informed, to seek and receive information necessary for our development. The DLP GOVT is flaunting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19. By refusing the public to know about and receive info. on several Agreements is sure in sharp contrast to the factual insights of the Secretary.

    (1) GOVT refuse to allow the public to receive info. on the MOU or AGREEMENT between Dominica and China as regards diplomatic, foreign relations. Who was Dominica’s ambassador to China? Who knew? Relationship has since gone sour. BVI court case interesting.
    (2) GOVT refused to give the public the Agreement between Dominica and Venezuela re. ALBA.
    (3) National Radio Station refused equal access to opposing voices during election campaign.
    (4) No information on number of or amounts re. Dominica passport sales or who are selling.

    A FREEDOM of INFORMATION ACT or LAW continue to allude us. Dominicans must come to realize one day that Govt has an obligation, the people has a right to hold its GOVT accountable and to demand transparency in its dealings and not engage in secret deals that the public gets to know only after investigations.

    The Dominican Society is decaying into unethical, immoral behaviour, where some people accept secrecy in GOVT and unaccountability by their leaders. The Secretary cannot be more correct. In Dominica, all now we can see the corrosive and corrupting effect.

    Fight for the FREEDOM oF INFORMATION ACT, The people have a right to know
    Fight for the UNIVERSAL RIGHT TO PUBLICLY HELD INFORMATION
    Fight FOR ELECTORAL REFORM
    Fight FOR EQUAL ACCESS TO DBS. The people have a right to hear different views

    Lovers of Dominica, all right-thinking Dominicans must be fearless, come together to expose wrongdoings and corruption.
    LET us stop that culture of secrecy and lack of accountability. Too late shall be our cry. To respect and trust the people is to give them the right to information that affects their life and country’s development.

  2. May 3, 2010

    Thank you DNO for freedom of expression! We don’t have to abuse it, but to use it.

    Freedom of expression , everyone will know what’s happening.

    No Freedom of expression, You are kept in bondage, no one will know anything.

    In Dominica, we need to know…we need to know! where our passports are going to.!

    What is that MOU between Dominica and Venezuela signed lately!

    What is that MOU between Dominica and China!

  3. interest
    May 3, 2010

    … Time for the DPP to invoke the treason act.

  4. Jo-Ann Jo-Ann
    May 3, 2010

    My fellow Dominicans, under no circumstances should we as civil society take our freedom of information for granted. Not for one moment that we ought to forget how indispensable it is to have the privilege to exist in a democratic country. The power is in our hands to have and seek information that will impact our lives and is only then that we will be enlightened.
    We ought not to be brainwash by sinister intellectuals who supposedly aimed at misleading us both on a professional and social level. It is indeed our civic duty to inform ourselves and it is only then that we will be empowering as a nation to move upward and to be excellent example to the rest of the world.
    However, we must engaged and encourage our leaders to foster a culture of accountability and transparency in order that our media professionals can be inspired to enlighten our nation and as a result we all can coexist peacefully in our nature isle of Dominica.

  5. xmxn
    May 3, 2010

    them skero dogs can’t see that they are totaly blind , time will tell

  6. Conflict of interest
    May 3, 2010

    Sounds exactly what has happening in Dominica. Denied access to DBS and Kairi while the chairman of DBS Drove around with red flags and DLP campaign material all over his vehicle.
    DNO was hit by a virus the day before elections.
    The chronicle had its email blocked.
    Almost every one I know who had anti Skerit information to share had their email accounts blocked.
    Q95 was being jammed daily.
    “none of your Damn business”

    Most the places where press has been restricted are closely associated with the French fella. China, Cuba, Venezuela, russia, Iran, libia ….

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available