UNITED
NATIONS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Congrtulatory
remarks on the occasion of presentation of certificates funded by Dag
Hammarskjold Memorial Scholarship Fund
8 November 2001
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very pleased to congratulate the three outstanding journalists who are this year's recipients of the Dag Hammarksjold Memorial Scholarship - Mr. Daniel Plange of Ghana, Ms Gorgina Roeser of Tanzania, and Ms Bhanravge Tansubhapol of Thailand.
These three awardees join a distinguished roster of 138 journalists who have received the Hammarksjold Scholarship over the past 39 years. Each of these men and women is a credit to her profession, to his country, and to the principles upon which the United Nations is based.
Freedom of the press is a fundamental political right and one of the foundations of a vibrant democracy. But this right depends for its exercise on the courage, ability, and integrity of dedicated journalists such as those we honour today.
Dag Hammarksjold,
the only UN Secretary-General to die in the line of duty, recognized that
critical, informed media coverage of the United
Nations is essential to carrying out its global mission. During his tenure
as Secretary-General, this was one of his highest priorities. And so today
we remember Dag Hammarksjold by recognizing three exemplary individuals
who are carrying on the work that he regarded as of such great importance.
Thank you.