(WAJA/IFEX) – The following is a WAJA statement for World Press Freedom Day: STATEMENT BY THE WEST AFRICAN JOURNALIST ASSOCIATION FOR WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY-MAY 3, 1999 On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, The West African Journalists Association join colleagues all over the world and the international community to mark the day for […]
(WAJA/IFEX) – The following is a WAJA statement for World Press Freedom Day:
STATEMENT BY THE WEST AFRICAN JOURNALIST ASSOCIATION FOR WORLD PRESS FREEDOM
DAY-MAY 3, 1999
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, The West African Journalists
Association join colleagues all over the world and the international
community to mark the day for its worth -a moment for rededication to a
basic principle that promotes and guarantees human rights -freedom of
expression.
Freedom of expression is without doubt the cornerstone of human development
and societies, which abandon this fundamental principle, are doomed to
decline and destruction.
Social and Economic justice as well as political rights of peoples all over
the world can only be ensured when governments respect and institutionalize
freedom of expression as cornerstones of their policy for good governance.
It is only a free press that guarantees a transparent and accountable
government, rule of law as well as sustainable human development.
On the occasion of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, WAJA regrets that
the press of our sub-region remains under siege and all forms of harassment
from governments in our sub-region.
Journalists in our sub-region continue to be detained and killed for no
other reason than the pursuit of their profession. Newspapers and radio
stations continue to be closed down by some authorities in the sub-region
who have forgotten that all countries in our region are signatories to The
Universal Declaration of Human Rights which, under Article 19, enjoins all
and sundry to respect the right of all citizens of the world to receive and
impart information.
The lack of freedom of information acts which denies our citizens their
inalienable right to information and the criminalisation of freedom of
expression through criminal libel laws negates the spirit and letter of
Article 19.
WAJA is particularly disturbed by the casualties journalists are suffering
in Sierra Leone as a result of the ongoing civil strife in that country
which has targeted journalists for undeserved humiliation and assault of
fatal proportions. The death toll of journalists in Sierra Leone is a
subject that should be of concern to the international community as we
observe World Press Freedom Day.
On the international front, WAJA is equally disturbed by the threat to our
profession in conflict situations as in Kosovo and Algeria and appeal to
warring factions to respect the right of journalists to conduct their work
without any physical harassment.
We join the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, The UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights and The Director-General of UNESCO in
appealing to all governments, regional and local authorities “to renew their
commitment to guarantee the safety of journalist and to ensure that crimes
against journalists do not go unpunished.”
WAJA wishes to use this occasion to renew its pledge to the continued
defence and promotion of freedom of expression in our region and the world
at large.
On this memorable day, we pause to salute the courage and resilience of
journalists all over the world who in the face of adversities and threats to
their lives continue to publish the news.
Kabral Blay-Amihere
WAJA President.
3 May, 1999.
