Daily Times
May 5, 2021
1759, Peter Forsskal, the genius of the Swedish transformation, writes “finally it is also an important right in a free society to be freely allowed to contribute to society’s well-being. However, if that is to occur, it must be possible for society’s state of affairs to become known to everyone, and it must be possible for everyone to speak his mind freely about it. Where this is lacking, liberty is not worth its name” in his pamphlet Thoughts on Civil Liberty published in Stockholm. He triumphed over tyranny when The Freedom of the Press Act was enacted in 1766, a Swedish law proscribed censorship and ensured public access to official records.
Daily Monitor
Tuesday May 04 2021
Dear Tingasiga;
I write this note on May 3. It is World Press Freedom Day 2021. This is a special one, for we celebrate 30years since the UNESCO Windhoek Declaration for the Development of a Free, Independent and Pluralistic Press.
Most countries, including Uganda, embraced and endorsed this declaration as part of a fundamental agenda for good governance and progress. Like many international declarations, to which Uganda is signatory, this one gathers dust in some forgotten file, its contents regularly mocked by the very rulers whose delegates appended signatures to the agreement.
Press freedom in Uganda continues its residence on the wish list of journalists and true patriots, even as the rulers hammer away at it with a vigour that surpasses that of the “buffoon regimes” they overthrew decades ago. We are told that the proliferation of broadcast, electronic and print media, complete with commentaries like mine, represents a “fre
In his message, Guterres says the pandemic has undermined the critical role of reliable, verified and universally accessible information in saving lives and building strong, resilient societies.
He says the situation continues to worsen and yet the economic impact of the pandemic has hit many media outlets hard, threatening their very survival.
“In too many countries, they run great personal risks, including new restrictions, censorship, abuse, harassment, detention and even death, simply for doing their jobs. The situation continues to worsen,” says Mr Guteress.
According to Guteress, as budgets tighten, so too does access to reliable information hence creating a gap for rumors, falsehoods and extreme or divisive opinions which tend to surge.
Press Freedom Day: Respect constitutional provisions, drop charges against journalists, ACROJ urges govt tribuneonlineng.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tribuneonlineng.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
World Press Freedom Day: Bilawal Bhutto calls for lifting curbs on media
By
Bilawal Bhutto issues statement on World Press Freedom Day.
Says PTI government is gagging media to hide its illegitimacy and incompetence.
Expresses concern on drop of Pakistan s ranking on Press Freedom Index.
ISLAMABAD: PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto says that press freedom in the country has been chained with threats, intimidation, and pressure tactics by the PTI regime. He called for lifting the declared and undeclared curbs imposed on the Pakistani media.
“Imran Khan-led PTI regime has gagged the media to hide its illegitimacy, incompetence and sheer failures in every sector and several independent journalists and anchorpersons have been forcibly taken off TV screens, leading them to take to social media to express their independent analysis and opinions,” the PPP chairperson said in his message on World Press Freedom Day.