Ahead of the World Press Freedom Day – May 3, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said “Without freedom of the press, there are no real democratic societies. Without freedom of the press, there is no freedom,” writes MIA.
He pointed out that “threats to the freedom of journalists and media workers are growing by the day.”
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, many media workers have been on the frontlines, providing accurate, science-based reporting to inform decision-makers and save lives, reads the UN Secretary-General’s message.
Journalists who cover climate, biodiversity and pollution have succeeded in bringing global attention to this triple planetary crisis.
However, according to Guterres, “threats to the freedom of journalists and media workers are growing by the day.” “From global health to the climate crisis, corruption and human rights abuses, they face increased politicization of their work and attempts to silence them from many sides,” Guterres said.
Digital technology has democratized access to information. But it has also created serious challenges.
“Digital technology also makes censorship even easier. Many journalists and editors around the world are at constant risk of their programmes and reports being taken offline.”
According to the UN Secretary-General, the methods and tools change, but the goal of discrediting the media and covering up the truth remains the same as ever.
