Today as the world marks its 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, three decades since it was proclaimed in 1993 by the United Nations.
Despite the gains made so far with the advance of digital technologies and proliferation of independent media in the free flow of information. The world press are in dire need of media freedom and safety of journalists as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as recommended by UN General Assembly.
Globally, the international community are on the verge of chaos heralding a third world war with escalating humanitarian crisis.
As the world celebrate freedom of press let it be recalled that the Republic of China Constitution guarantees freedom of speech of the press but routinely violates same with total impunity.
Let us not forget that the Russian government dominate its media landscape, with alarming incidence of threats, violent assaults and murders of journalists and human rights defenders, which has created a climate of fear and a chilling effect on the media.
Let us not claim ignorant of the fact that the United Arab Emirates
government restricts freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and that local media are censored to avoid criticising the government, government officials or royal families.
Just to mention few world powers that still suppress press freedom in their domain.
As the world celebrate 2023 press freedom day, let reflection on issues of press freedom and use the opportunity to
celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
