World Press Freedom Day being observed today

UNITED NATIONS: World Press Freedom Day is being observed around the world including Pakistan today Sunday. This year the theme is “Journalism without Fear or Favour”.

In a video message on the World Press Freedom Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Journalists and media workers are crucial to helping us make informed decisions.”

António Guterres further said, “As the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic, those decisions can make the difference between life and death.”

“We call on governments and others to guarantee that journalists can do their jobs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. As the pandemic spreads, it has also given rise to the second pandemic of misinformation, from harmful health advice to wild conspiracy theories,” he added.

He said, “The press provides the antidote: verified, scientific, fact-based news and analysis. However, since the pandemic began, many journalists are being subjected to increased restrictions and punishments simply for doing their jobs.”

The UN Secretary-General also thanked the media workers for providing facts and analysis for holding leaders in every sector accountable.

“And we call on governments to protect media workers and to strengthen and maintain press freedom which is essential for a future of peace justice and human rights for all,” Guterres concluded.