Every year when we get to this date, we talk about a fundamental truth!
It’s something the secretary general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres referred to in his message on this special day. “Freedom for people depends on freedom of the press!”
Free and independent journalism, he said, is an essential public good.
It’s the backbone of accountability, justice, equality and human rights!
Journalists everywhere, he said, must be able to report freely and without fear or favour.
When journalists are unable to work, we all lose!
Tragically, he said, this is becoming more difficult every year, and more dangerous.
Journalists face attacks, detentions, censorship, intimidation, violence and even death – simply for doing their jobs.
There has been a sharp rise in journalists killed in conflict areas, particularly in the Gaza.
Today is a special day for journalists around the world. We say that every year, and we mean it! Today is World Press Freedom Day.
This year, the theme is ‘Reporting in the brave new world – The impact of artificial intelligence on press freedom and the media’.
In its concept summary, UNESCO states: ‘The media landscape has changed significantly since the UN General Assembly proclaimed World Press Freedom Day in 1993.
The unprecedented use and development of Artificial Intelligence systems are playing a transformative role in journalism and the media, and on press freedom.
While the principles of free, independent, and pluralistic media remain crucial, AI’s impact on information gathering, processing, and dissemination is profound, presenting both innovative opportunities and profound challenges.
AI offers the potential to enhance freedom of expression by democratising access to information, empowering global communication, and changing the reality of the flow of information around the world.
It also introduces new risks, as highlighted by the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression.
‘The UN Global Digital Compact emphasises the need to address technology-amplified issues while protecting privacy and freedom of expression.’
As a nation, we have come off a period of censorship, and suppression of media freedom under the former government.
Our struggles were real until the repeal of the draconian media legislation in 2023.
While our challenges are many, as Mr Guterres said, there is a role for the media, for journalists, to be disseminating information that will allow and assist people to make informed decisions daily.
We have always said that the day offers us an opportunity, for what it’s worth, to appreciate the work of journalists and to acknowledge people in the news and those who read, listen to, view, and surf the internet in search of information.
Journalists are sometimes mis-understood in Fiji.
They also have families.
They have feelings, bias, aspirations, and they appreciate many things just like everyone else.
Many of them have families of their own. Many have children to support.
Faced with many obstacles, passion for the job keeps many in this career.
Journalists have also been acknowledged and appreciated.
For every journalist on the frontline, there are just as many in the background, from the editors of various departments, sub-editors in a newspaper, to people behind the scenes, working to get a radio or television program or web update ready for the masses.
There are the people in administration, finance, transport, advertising and marketing, and newspaper sellers, who all play an important role in the process of disseminating information to the masses.
Today, we also challenge those in positions of authority to place value on freedom of expression, and the right to information. We challenge men and women who are tasked to uphold the laws of our country, to do that with integrity and dedication.
We appreciate that there is great power in information. We are reminded also, that there must be a great sense of responsibility!
