Today, 3 May 2011, is World Press Freedom Day – a day of special importance to us at the School of Journalism and Media Studies.
It is a day to remember how important a free press is to democracy.
This year's theme is '21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers'. The focus is on celebrating the potential of digital technologies as well as established forms of journalism to uphold the right to communicate, freedom of expression, democratic governance and sustainable development.
2011 marks 20 years of the Windhoek Declaration. In 1991, African journalists and civil society drafted the Windhoek Declaration which promoted independent and pluralistic media. To commemorate this event, the United Nations General Assembly declared 3 May, World Press Freedom Day.
Professor Anthea Garman, Acting Head of the School of Journalism and Media Studies says, "Press freedom is important because it is tightly connected to the extremely important rights and freedoms given to everyone in this country to hold opinions and beliefs, to express and debate them and campaign for them. Freedom for the media is a freedom on behalf of the public and must never become a disconnected freedom in its own right; it must always work on behalf of the people and for their right to speak in the public domain."
According to the World Association of Newspapers, "we have seen repeatedly throughout the world, that censorship and control of information serves the interest of a privileged few; the rule of law is negatively affected, human rights ignored and impunity and corruption unchecked. In contrast, a free, diverse and responsible media promotes transparency and accountability, informs public debate and helps to ensure governments address the concerns and aspirations of all citizens."
Some abuses of journalists make headlines but many don’t
From May 2010 till today, 78 journalists have died whilst on assignment. Recently, photojournalists Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros were killed in Libya by rocket-propelled grenades. South African born journalist Lara Logan was sexually assaulted in Egypt, during the recent political uprisings. In addition, South African photojournalist Anton Hammerl is still being detained by Libyan authorities. Details of his whereabouts are vague.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 16 journalists have already been killed in 2011, 861 have been killed since 1992 and 545 murdered with impunity since 1992. Currently, 145 journalists languish in prisons worldwide.
The School of Journalism and Media Studies recognises the need for a free press and honours journalists who have paid with their lives in the pursuit of a story.