3 May 2008. New York – Kyiv - From the education
of the youngest members of society to the full public engagement of citizens with
their political leadership, access to information empowers each one of us to
transform our lives and our communities.
Just
as water is essential for life to grow, knowledge sustains our capacity to imagine
and to change. When
information flows freely, people are equipped with tools to take control of
their lives. When the flow of information is hindered -- whether for political
or technological reasons -- our capacity to function is stunted.
Sixty years ago, the drafters of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights declared in Article 19 that the right of everyone to freedom of
opinion and expression “includes freedom to hold opinions without interference
and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and
regardless of frontiers.” As the rapid pace
of globalization has strengthened the development of a free, pluralistic,
independent and professional media, the significance of this right has never
been more evident. Technological
advances have promoted media and information literacy as right for all to access
equally.
A free, secure and independent media is one of the foundations of
peace and democracy. Attacks on freedom of the press are attacks against
international law, against humanity, against freedom itself -- against
everything the United Nations stands for. I am therefore all the more alarmed
at the way journalists
are increasingly being targeted around the world, and dismayed when such crimes
are not thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
On this World Press Freedom Day, and in this
year when we mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, I call on all societies to spare no effort in bringing to
justice the perpetrators of attacks on journalists. I pay tribute to all who work
in difficult and dangerous conditions to provide us with free, unbiased
information. And I call on every one of us to work for the freedom -- and the
safety -- of the press everywhere.
More information about World Press Freedom Day.
02.05.08
