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 News From You
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Week ending May 5, 2012
World Press Freedom Day was marred by the deaths of three photojournalists in the Mexican state of Veracruz, providing a sobering reminder of the extreme dangers faced by the media in a country that systematically fails to enforce the rule of law to protect its press.
The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the World Editors Forum wrote to Mexican President Felipe Calderón on Friday – their second protest to the president in a week -- to express outrage at the killings, and to call for urgent investigations into the murders.
“We are serious concerned at the horrific levels of violence facing journalists in Mexico and, in particular, in Veracruz State,” said the letter, which called on the president to ensure that investigations into the murders are swiftly carried out and the perpetrators are brought to justice.
At least 43 journalists have been murdered in Mexico since Mr Calderón took office. “In very few cases have the perpetrators been brought to justice and we are appalled at the climate of impunity that protects those who kill and threaten journalists,” the letter said.
Mexico’s bloody recent history continued on Thursday with the discovery of the dismembered remains of Gabriel Huge, Guillermo Luna and Esteban Rodríguez in a canal in the port of Veracruz. A fourth victim – Irasema Becerra, believed to be the girlfriend of Mr Luna -- was also uncovered.
The gruesome discovery comes less than a week after the murder in the same state of journalist Regina Martinez. Eight journalists have been killed in the past 18 months in Veracruz alone.
“A free press is an essential cornerstone of any country based on democracy.” So says Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman, in her exclusive interview with the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), to mark 3 May, World Press Freedom Day.
“We need to achieve full press freedom, not a fragmented version,” she writes. “We need to practice it without prohibitions.”
The interview, published online in six languages, can be read in full at http://www.worldpressfreedomday.org . It is one of the highlights from a selection of editorials and exclusive materials commemorating World Press Freedom Day.
Mexican journalist Anabel Hernández, WAN-IFRA’s 2012 Golden Pen of Freedom laureate, underlines the relevance of this year’s campaign to her own experience reporting the violent situation in Mexico. "‘Silence kills democracy, but a free press talks,’ is a phrase associated with World Press Freedom Day,” she says. “Currently, during this dramatic period in Mexico's history, silence is killing men, women and children… and it is killing journalists. But breaking the silence can also be deadly.”
“Freedom of expression as a principle is centuries old,” affirms Danish editor and President of the World Editors Forum, Erik Bjerager. “It rests on the insight that man must be able to communicate freely to be free. Today all developed countries have discovered that doubt, question and dissent do not weaken a nation. On the contrary, they make it stronger.”
“For most stories hailed as important examples of investigative journalism, there will be nervous people fearing reprisals if their cover should be blown,” says human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson, in his editorial on the protection of sources. “Most would be sacked from their jobs, whilst others might be jailed or even killed. They are the real heroes of investigative reporting, and they must not be abandoned.”
Also in the collection of materials are contributions from Alain Gresh, Deputy Director of Le Monde diplomatique ; South African anti-apartheid lawyer George Bizos; Tunisian journalist and activist Fahem Boukadous; Pakistani investigative reporter Umar Cheema; Egyptian blogger Mahmoud Salem (aka Sandmonkey); Anette Novak from the World Editors Forum, and an essay from the World Justice Project complete the editorial selection for this year’s campaign.
WAN-IFRA’s 3 May World Press Freedom Day campaign website also hosts a range of striking AFP photographs highlighting freedom of expression flashpoints from across the globe, exclusive cartoons from Michel Cambon, Zapiro and Ali Ferzat, info-graphics detailing the dangers of exercising the profession of journalism, and resources to help young readers engage in the issues relating to a free press. A selection of ready-to-print adverts is also available to download.
Geneva, 2 May 2012 – How should governments ensure that the freedoms of expression and information take precedence over political or economic interests, and that people have free access to their chosen media? These questions were central to a conference today at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about media freedom in Azerbaijan, where the EBU will stage the 57th Eurovision Song Contest finals, on May 22, 24 and 26.
The conference brought together representatives of the Council of Europe, the Government of Azerbaijan, several EBU television and radio members, the EBU itself and various human rights and press organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Azerbaijan Media Center and Azerbaijan League of Independent Journalists.
During two plenary and three breakout sessions, the participants of the conference debated such topics as “independence of the media”, “the harassment, intimidation and arrest of journalists”, “free access to media of choice” and “responsibilities of the media and journalists”.
In closing, Mr Hasanov said his government would investigate fully a number of alleged cases of jailed and mistreated journalists, which were raised by various participants throughout the day. He also said the Azeri leadership was open to changing state legislation to reduce defamation to a civil, and not a criminal, offence.
EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre, who chaired the conference, said, “The discussions took place in a very constructive and open atmosphere of mutual respect. All participants agreed that free and independent media, together with technological infrastructures and legislative frameworks that allow unrestricted, uncensored distribution of media content, are cornerstones of any democracy.”
At the same time, Ms Deltenre said, all parties recognized that media freedom is only applicable if the media also respect democratic principles and human rights. She said, “Media that foster hatred and distribute content of racist and discriminatory nature should not be granted such freedom.”
During the talks, participants expressed a desire to see the EBU and the Council of Europe stage a follow-up workshop in Baku in the latter half of 2012, principally for the benefit of Azeri journalists. Ingrid Deltenre said the EBU would gladly be instrumental in such an event, which would in principle focus on quality of journalism and professional best practices, as well as media independence.
Various other ideas were also tabled to push for better working conditions for journalists and greater media freedom in Azerbaijan, and the EBU, backed by the Council of Europe, has committed to the following:
· An EBU-led roadmap to transform the Azeri state broadcaster into a true public service entity
· Implementation of a modern, industry regulated code of professional conduct for journalists in Azerbaijan
· Intensive EBU training of Ictimai TV staff on strategic, editorial and management matters
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