"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."
(Professor Anthea Garman - Acting Head, School of Journalism and Media Studies)
"Without a free press, few human rights are attainable. A strong press freedom environment encourages the growth of a robust civil society, which leads to stable, sustainable democracies and healthy social, political, and economic development."
(Committee to Protect Journalists)
"Press Freedom is always important, but especially so in 2011. This is because we have seen governments and corporations restricting internet freedom in many places, and in South Africa we are not yet out of the woods with regards to the Media Tribunal and Secrecy Bill. Even more, however, 2011 marks the 20th anniversary of the Windhoek Conference. It was that media conference, two decades ago, which led to the UN general assembly recognising 3 May as World Press Freedom Day."
"Rhodes JMS, through Highway Africa, plus several of our academics and students, will be part of the Windhoek+20 commemoration events in Cape Town during September 17-19. The plan there is to produce a declaration asking for the World Right to Know Day, to complement international Press Freedom Day. That would be another gift from African media to the globe, and it would help point the South African parliament away from clauses like 25 years jail sentences in the Secrecy Bill currently under consideration."
(Professor Guy Berger - School of Journalism and Media Studies)
"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."
(World Association of Newspapers)
"When a free media is in jeopardy, all other human rights are also threatened. So in that spirit let us continue to champion those who stand for media freedom and expose those who would deny it. And let us always work towards a world where the free flow of information and ideas remain a powerful force for progress."
(Hillary Clinton - US secretary of State)