(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release: World Press Freedom Day 2000: IFJ Calls for Media World To Unite Against Violence The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest organisation of journalists, has marked the first world press freedom day of the new millennium with a call for unity in the media world […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release:
World Press Freedom Day 2000: IFJ Calls for Media World To Unite Against Violence
The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest organisation of journalists, has marked the first world press freedom day of the new millennium with a call for unity in the media world against the scourge of “intimidation, violence and poverty” that affects journalists and media staff in many parts of the world.
The IFJ declaration on May 3rd – World Press Freedom Day – says that media conglomerates with global reach have a special responsibility to isolate and condemn the “censors and tyrants” who terrorise journalists in many countries.
The IFJ statement says:
“From Bogota to Belgrade, the year 2000 has been marked with a continuation of intimidation, violence and poverty conditions that make journalism one of the world’s most dangerous and difficult professions. Today we call on all players in the media world – owners, journalists, media staff, and educators – to unite in a vigorous campaign to eradicate the scourge of exploitation and the atmosphere of fear that haunt journalism.
“There have been 23 killings of journalists already this year and numerous acts of violence against media. Many journalists are in jail. Censorship and intimidation of media continue to create twilight conditions for press freedom in many regions.
“The catalogue of intimidation continues even while the media economy is expanding rapidly and new markets are being created. But freedom to exploit the commercial potential of new information technologies comes at a heavy price. Journalists and independent media are still in the firing line, even in countries where new deals are being brokered to assist the globalisation of the media economy.
“The world’s media conglomerates have a special responsibility to isolate and condemn the modern censors and tyrants who abuse journalists’ rights. They must do more to place themselves in the forefront of the campaign against the violation of human rights. Particularly, they must demand that countries like China subscribe to internationally-recognised standards of freedom of expression and opinion and social justice.
“On this special day, with other media professional organisations, we salute the courage and sacrifice of thousands of journalists, writers and media staff who each year defend press freedom; when they do so they support all our rights. This year, more than ever, as the world of media grows more powerful, we must pledge to unite and to use that power in support of our colleagues who need it most.”
This year the IFJ, in co-operation with the World Association of Newspapers and other professional and press freedom groups has launched a special campaign in defence of independent media in Serbia.
The IFJ has also drawn special attention to the crisis in Colombia where assassinations of journalists have continued in recent months and where journalists routinely face the threat of assassinations, violence on missions, forced exile, and continual threats to their safety.
Further information about this campaign: http://www.ifj.org
The IFJ list of journalists killed so far in 2000 is as follows:
Mir Illais Hossein – Bangladesh
Anton Mariyadas – Sri Lanka
Konca Kuris – Turkey
Ahmed Kafi Awale – Somalia
Antonio Gomez Gomez – Colombia
John Restrepo Abello – Colombia
Humberto Garces Angulo – Colombia
Maria Elena Salinas Gallego – Colombia
Makonnen Worku – Ethiopia
Julio César Da Rosa – Uruguay
Vladimir Yatsina – Chechnya
Sasha McKay – South Africa
Artyom Borovik – Russia
Jose Wellington Fernandes – Brazil
Jean Leopold Dominique – Haiti
Jean Claude Louissaint – Haiti
Pablo Pineda – Mexico
Jose Ramirez Puente – Mexico
Milica Prostran – FRY
Omar Barrow – Gambia
Najm al-Sadoon – Iraq
Benito Ramon Jara Guzman – Paraguay
Roberto Martinez – Guatemala
The IFJ represents more than 450,000 journalists in 130 unions and associations in 103 countries.
