World Press Freedom Day to promote free flow of ideas

World Press Freedom Day is marked to inform the public the right to freedom of expression and as a reminder that many journalists do the yeoman service to the humanity and even brave death to bring people their daily news to inform and educate them

CJ: Dr. Lalit kishore

Sat, May 02, 2009 15:37:41 IST

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Media In India :

“FREEDOM OF expression - in particular, freedom of the press - guarantees popular participation in the decisions and actions of government and popular participation is the essence of our democracy,” so said Corazon Aquino, former president of the Philippines in 1933. But the quote is apt today too.

It needs to be understood that the freedom of expression, includes all kinds of mediums, be it orally, in written, in print, through the Internet or through art forms. This means that the protection of freedom of speech as a right includes not only the content but also the means of expression, says Wikipedia.

Of late there has been an escalation of violence against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel. Many media professionals get harassed, kidnapped, attacked, detained and even murdered because of their noble task of protecting democracy.

Throughout the world, May 3, is marked to inform the public the right to freedom of expression and as a reminder that many journalists do the yeoman service to the humanity and even brave death or jail to bring people their daily news to inform and educate them.

Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of an earlier World Press Freedom Day said, “World Press Freedom Day is an occasion to remind the world of the importance of protecting the fundamental human right of freedom of expression enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

According to a UNESCO communique, the potential of media in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation is the topic of UNESCO World Press Freedom Day 2009, being celebrated on May 2-3, 2009.

The theme of this year for the Day is related to 'the way the media influences thought and action and its capacity to foster dialogue, understanding and reconciliation'.

The rights to life and to liberty and integrity and security of person and also to freedom of expression are fundamental human rights that are recognised and guaranteed by international conventions and instruments, says a UNESCO Resolution.

“What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist,” says Salman Rushdie, Indian born British writer.

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Posted comments (1)

	I'm all for free press, albeit with deep sense of responsibility. Aspiring journos must be taught to be responsible in reporting; case in point, the real-time reporting of the comandoes' action in Mumbai; there should hv been selective 'camouflage' to protect our brave forces and to help keep the strategies a secret !!! All these things ought to be taught as part of a budding aspirant journo's curriculum. With such powerful media machinery at the disposal of reporters, it ought to be handled with dexterity and maturity!
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