To evaluate press freedom around the world
To defend the media from attacks on their independence
To pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession
UNESCO said it is also “a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.”
What’s happening: Last month, the Philippines dipped further in the
World Press Freedom Index of media watchdog Reporters Without Borders.
The country slipped two notches to 136th place out of 180 countries with a score of 46.64, indicating the “difficult situation” of press freedom in the country.
Attacks to the Philippines media, such as the “grotesque judicial harassment” to Rappler and the franchise denial of broadcasting giant ABS-CBN, were traced by the international media watchdog to Duterte.
Tributes and warnings on World Press Freedom Day Tributes and warnings on World Press Freedom Day May 03, 2021
The Pacific Islands News Association has paid tribute to media workers covering the COVID-19 pandemic, recognising their commitment and the “great sacrifice” they have made.
In a statement made to mark 2021 World Press Freedom Day today, PINA notes that while “our health workers have been rightfully recognised as ‘frontliners’ in the fight against COVID19, the critical frontline efforts of our media workers in bringing much-needed information and news to our people has been largely forgotten.”
“Much like our health sector colleagues, our media workers go about their daily work, also at high personal risk and exposure to this virus, but with the unwavering desire to inform and educate our people,” PINA says.
Views: Visits 3 It’s one full year since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, which has since claimed millions of victims and changed the way in which we live our lives forever. And whilst some of the immediate consequences of the pandemic have been starkly evident, others have remained less apparent – despite the severity of their consequences. The erosion of media freedom and the decline of independent journalism around the world are among them. In a defining paradox of our time, COVID-19 has simultaneously driven an acute need for accurate information and a thirst for trusted news whilst dismantling the very ecosystem that supplies it.
World Press Freedom Day: ActionAid Nigeria urges govt to create safe environment for Journalists tribuneonlineng.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tribuneonlineng.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Govt working on freedom of information law Pix for illustration purposes.
JAYA: The government is working on a bill which will allow for freedom of information.
Policy and Research Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister’s Department, director Dr Punitha Silivarajoo said this is important as freedom of information plays a big part in providing a clear and truthful message of what is happening.
“We started working on the Bill in 2019 after getting the Cabinet go ahead. We have engaged with all stakeholders to discuss what form the Bill should take.
“We need to balance the Bill with the Official Secrets Act as not all information can be released,“ she said during the World Press Freedom Day forum themed “Information as a Public Good.”