The World Press Freedom Day will be observed today across the world, including Pakistan, which will focus on highlighting the working of free press under an existing legal frame work and the media's role as a watchdog.
The World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference. Since then, May 3, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day. This year, the theme is 'keeping power in check: media, justice and the rule of law'; the celebration will highlight the importance of an enabling legal environment for press freedom, and gives special attention to the role of an independent judiciary in ensuring legal guarantees for press freedom and the prosecution of crimes against journalists.
At the same time, the theme addresses the role of the media in sustainable development, especially during elections, as a watchdog fostering transparency, accountability and the rule of law. The theme also aims to explore legislative gaps with regard to freedom of expression and information online, and the risks of regulating online speech.
On the eve of World Press Freedom Day, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that freedom of expression, positive and purposeful journalism are a strong basis of any civilized society. "Journalism is an important source of establishing public opinion and promoting national awareness. Free press also plays an important role for the supremacy of constitution and strengthening of democracy. It is also the basic human right and a strong tool to measure all the liberties," he added. He maintained that responsible journalism can prove to be the helping hand for curbing menace of corruption, lawlessness and terrorism from the country. He said that muzzling freedom of expression tantamount to locking the free and independent human approach. "The purpose of celebrating World Press Freedom Day is to highlight the importance and significance of freedom of press as well as the responsibilities attached to it. The present state of freedom of press has not been rewarded by anyone but it is the result of long struggle of journalists. All possible measures are being taken by the government for ensuring the freedom of media as well as keeping the journalist community safe from any kind of pressure," he added.
According to him, provision of protective and safe environment to the journalists for discharging their professional duties is one of the top priorities of the government because the PML-N considers freedom of expression as an important part of democracy. The PML-N has a complete trust on the utility and need of freedom of expression.
The Chief Minister said that it is the responsibility of the media to guide the people in right direction by keeping itself impartial. He said that today we have to reiterate that all-out measures will be taken for safeguarding the freedom of expression so that journalists could discharge their professional duties in the best of manner.
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