World Press Freedom Day May 3, President Obama said in a statement, is “a day in which we celebrate the indispensable role played by journalists in exposing abuses of power.”
Noting that nearly 700 journalists have been killed since World Press Freedom Day was created sixteen years ago, President Obama said “I lend my voice of support and admiration to all those brave men and women of the press who labor to expose truth and enhance accountability around the world. “
“The United States is proud to join the international community in celebrating World Press Freedom Day and the contributions that journalists make to advancing human dignity, liberty, and prosperity,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement.
“We live in a world where the free flow of information and ideas is a powerful force for progress,” Clinton said. “Independent print, broadcast, and online media outlets are more than sources of news and opinion. They also expose abuses of power, fight corruption, challenge assumptions, and provide constructive outlets for new ideas and dissent.”
For more on some of the perils journalists face see, “Journalism Under Siege.”
Comments (7)
andrew hoellering
5 May 2009 at 11:32 EDT
Permalink
Journalists are invariably in the front line of battles for truth, and such recognition by politicians is rare and to be valued.
Andrew Hoellering
Ershad Mazumder
6 May 2009 at 23:13 EDT
Permalink
What kind of freedom you are talking about dear Prez when embedded journalism is growing fast and Govs are growing intolerant.
S.C.Sood
10 May 2009 at 06:34 EDT
Permalink
Your Excellency, A belated congratulations. I and my family are very happy and see this as a great event in the history of mankind and the world. We sincerely hope that the mother earth becomes a better place, less polluted, greener, more peaceful and that the humanity thinks not in terms of Indian, American, chinese, but EARTHIANS. We are spending huge sums on research for habitable life on other planets, why cannot be retain what we already have. All weapons and research must be oriented towards peace and prosperity of humans and other life forms on earth. Amen. Wish you, Mrs Obama and your beloved daughters all the best. May you be in the saddle for years and years to come and the World and America become a better place after you leave the White House.
Media Desk
23 May 2009 at 10:26 EDT
Permalink
“The press is the only tocsin of a nation. When it is completely silenced… all means of a general effort are taken away.” - Thomas Jefferson. It seems the Obama Administration is trying to silience the freedom of the press. It is using its own production facilities to flood every channel on the Internet with its own highly produced version of the news. Take a look at how Obama wrapped his speech with the Founding Fathers and the Constitution. http://pfx.me/eX
Bill
20 June 2009 at 00:43 EDT
Permalink
Another ambiguous statement by one of the “Administration”! Why are they pushing a bill that will silence many media comments if this were true? They seem to have an agenda to silence the media personnel who speak the truth about wrong doings in the political game. The ABC can have freedom of speech to white wash things and make them appear to be something they are not. The new administration seems to want to quiet anyone who does not agree with their views. I believe Castro among other “Dictators” have done the same thing. At least our government doesn’t shoot them to silence them….yet!
So far our new administration has lied and blundered repeatedly since coming into power, such as “I will not take your guns away from you”. Yet in the first month in office his appointies were already attempting to push bills that would remove our right to bear arms. When that didn’t work they attempted to remove the availability of ammunition, even going so far as to stop selling government brass to American ammunition companies, grinding it up and selling it to China at a much lower price than American companies pay for it. This caused a huge shortage of ammunition, caused massive layoffs and hourly cutbacks to employees of the ammunition companies and even forced some of those companies out of business. But you won’t read about these things because the media is fed only what they want them to report for the good of the administration and not what they are doing to hinder our economy or our freedoms! They seem to boast their support for freedom of speech and such when it is for the better of another country, but in the background they are pushing to reduce American’s rights and freedom!
Wake up America, change is upon us!
P.S. Fidel Castro’s campagne speech also promised that he would bring much needed change to Cuba! Evidently the Cubans didn’t fare well with the “Change”. American tax payers now support many of them as “Illegal immigrants”!
Chan Mongol
7 August 2009 at 18:37 EDT
Permalink
In eighteenth century, John Peter Zenger was a hero and a legend Journalist and a writer in New York. In his writings, he boldly attacked then ill administration of New York’s colonial governor William Cosby. His newspaper, THE NEW YORK WEEKLY JOURNAL carried political essays that criticized corrupt governmental policies. In 1735, because of his own ‘written materials’ or articles, he got legal problems for “his intention, to cause dissatisfaction with the Government”. However, the honest and sincere Jury found Mr. Zenger “not guilty”.
Jury’s refusal to convict John Peter Zenger helped to encourage freedom of press and freedom of opinions. Today, worldwide, citizens of countries got freedom of press and freedom of publications in black and white, in constitutions. At the same time, thanks to the land of freedom, The United States Of America. Due to such a clause in constitutions, for the freedom of expressions that fostered the idea of freedom of publications and press, we dare to publish our opinions. Still peoples rights to voice were taken away in many times and by many Governments.
We feel that we are human beings When someone like Barack Hussein OBAMA stand up and boldly assure us about our freedom. I wonder how come Bush and others never ensured our rights the way President OBAMA is doing! Governments and leaders in the world had made enough profits from us by capturing and enslaving us. Now it is our turn to enjoy rights preserved for us. We should boldly speak the truth on matters, vital for peace and freedom. None should play any more ’secret game’ like Bush did! What do you say?
Mikal Hutto
Location: Pasadena, Texas
4 October 2009 at 07:45 EDT
Permalink
Freedom of the Press is vital to freedom and democracy, so why doesn’t the US have it?
Our media is controlled by Right Wing Corporations. The worst offender is Rupert Murdoch. He only became a citizen of this country to acquire vast media holdings for the sole purpose of spewing Right Wing propaganda to Americans.
The only reason the Iraq war happened in the first place is because the media in America has been effectively gagged by Murdoch and others like him who have monopolized every aspect of news.
Reinstate the FCC regulations that Michael Powell negated to allow Murdoch and others to gain control of the press, radio and television. Michael Powell’s actions also allowed his father to make millions off his AOL Stock. Incidental, I’m sure.
Celebrating “World Press, Freedom Day,” rings hollow in the face of reality in America. Perhaps I should say unreality, for Americans seldom get the truth.
Ask Sibel Edmonds.