PGA Remarks
at the World Press Freedom Day
3 May 2024
(As prepared- Video Message)
World Press Freedom Day Global Conference:
– Santiago, Chile.
Your Excellency, Gabriel Boric Font, President of the Republic of Chile,
Your Excellency, Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of the General Conference of UNESCO,
Your Excellency, Paula Narváez, President of the Economic and Social Council,
Your Excellency, Omar Zniber, President of the Human Rights Council,
Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO,
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
I am most grateful to the President of the General Conference of UNESCO for the invitation to join in commemorating World Press Freedom Day 2024; and also, to the Government of the Republic of Chile for organizing this significant event – a testament of your unwavering commitment to that timeless democratic principle of “freedom of expression”.
Freedom of expression is also a fundamental human right – enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – the 75th anniversary of which we commemorated proudly last December here at the United Nations.
Press freedom – a core component of the right to freedom of expression – recognizes the right of journalists and media organizations to operate independently and to report the news impartially without censorship or intimidation These rights and freedoms are crucial in instilling public confidence in unfettered truthful reporting, which allows people to make well-informed decisions.
This year’s theme – A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis – is especially timely, given the imperative of accelerating action towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals over the next 6 years.
It underscores the critical role of journalists and media workers in shedding light on the causes and consequences of current environmental crises, including an objective assessment of corporate and state response, as the case might be , – in an atmosphere that guarantees absolute journalistic freedom.
Excellencies,
Sustainability remains one of the core unifying principles of my Presidency of the General Assembly – with environmental protection and climate action high on my agenda, because we are witnessing in real time , evidence of the avoidable human impacts of how we consume resources.
It is greatly encouraging that in 2022 the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 76/300, recognizing the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as fundamental to human well-being.
This important resolution advocates for increased global efforts to uphold and to give practical expression to this essential right – a measure that I wholeheartedly endorse.
Last month, I convened the first-ever UN General Assembly Sustainability Week, among other things, to bolster international awareness of all three dimensions of sustainable development – the social, economic, and environmental – in an integrated manner, but with particular emphasis on the concept and indeed the imperative of achieving sustainability
My interactions with journalists and Media – both online and offline – were critical to informing global audiences about these issues, and raising awareness about the prevailing gaps and challenges; thus triggering innovations and shaping policy decisions to address environmental challenges.
Sadly, journalists and media workers across the globe are increasingly under threat – from kidnapping and torture to arbitrary detention, and losing their lives at alarming rates, whether as casualities of war or or as deliberate targets of state authority,
As we honour those who members of the fifth estate who have fallen in our service on this day, let us all recommit to protecting journalists and media workers – as a paramount obligation for promoting inclusive media coverage, to inform and educate society including on current environmental issues.
I therefore call upon Member States to prioritize upholding and honouring freedom of expression, protecting journalists as well as media workers – and ending impunity.
Ensuring accountability for attacks against and harassment of journalists and media workers is crucial to upholding democratic values, globally.
In this era characterized by the pervasive trend of misinformation and disinformation, society needs the independence, expertise and integrity of a free media, more than ever.
When applied to climate and other environmental issues such trends are undermining our urgent efforts for climate action, effective policy formulation, and the protection of vulnerable communities – particularly women and girls, who are often disproportionately affected by climate change.
Strengthening independent and impartial journalism is vital to the healthy functioning of societies – empowering them for factual reporting that promote protection of the environment based on scientific facts and evidence
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
As I conclude, the upcoming Summit of the Future – along with the Global Digital Compact in particular – present unique opportunities to strengthen international cooperation, including on the question of access to reliable information.
As we look to the future, still with optimism – in the face of the myraid of challenges – we must galvanize our efforts in supporting and amplifying the voices of those who speak truth to power and clarity to the world on environmental issues, upon which hangs the very nature and sustainability of our civilization on this planet.
On this day, let us rededicate ourselves to fostering a global culture – where truth in reporting prevails and promotes evidence -based decision-making for sustainable development.
I convey my very best wishes for a successful and fulfilling World Press Freedom Day.
I thank you.
Note:
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by GA in December 1993 (decision 48/432 of 20 December 1993).
The 2024 World Press Freedom Day theme is: “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis”.
At the Conference to celebrate World Press Freedom Day organized by UNESCO and Chile (2-4 May 2024), at which PGA participated by a Pre-recorded video message (script above)
A special video on PGA’s social media on Press Freedom Day also released.
Joint Statement
PGA joined alongside the President of UNESCO General Conference, the President of the Human Rights Council and the President of ECOSOC, the joint statement on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, on 3 May, in their capacities as President of the three intergovernmental bodies in charge of the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression and the safety of journalists in the UN. (the joint statement initiative was first initiated on the occasion of the 2022 World Press Freedom Day, and since the PGAs have joined the joint statement, so this is the third time that PGA join it)
Joint Statement_EN Joint Statement_FR Joint Statement_ESThe joint statements in English, French, and Spanish at the World Press Freedom Day Global Conference:
