António Guterres in a video message on Thursday on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day said, 'A free press is essential for peace, justice and human rights for all. It is crucial to building transparent and democratic societies and keeping those in power accountable. It is vital for sustainable development.'
He described the journalists and media workers as 'a light on local and global challenges.'
'Their service to the public is invaluable.'
'Laws that protect independent journalism, freedom of expression and the right to information need to be adopted implemented and enforced. Crimes against journalists must be prosecuted,' he said.
'On World Press Freedom Day 2018, I call on Governments to strengthen press freedom and to protect journalists. Promoting a free press is standing up for our right to truth,' the Secretary General said.
3 May is a date which is named as the Press Freedom Day to highlight the fundamental principles of press freedom and to defend the media from attacks on their independence, as well as to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession, according to the UNESCO.
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Tehran, May 4, IRNA – The secretary-general of the United Nations called on governments to boost press freedom and protection for journalists.
