NEW YORK, MAY 3 – Sharing its message on Twitter, the Italian Permanent Representation to the UN in New York joined UNESCO to reaffirm its commitment to the protection of journalists around the world.
“Journalists are under digital siege. They are being surveilled, harassed and abused. Their lives are at risk”, reads the message of the UN Organization, calling for action, inspired by the World Press Freedom Day, to ensure that the freedom of the press is never blocked. “End this siege and help journalists all over the world,” concludes the message posted and relaunched on Twitter.
The UNCA (United Nations Correspondent Association) has also taken, in a video from its president Valeria Robecco, a position of solidarity with members of the media in difficult situations around the world. Robecco also asked for the appointment of a UN Special Representative for the protection of journalists.
World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every year on May 3 to reaffirm this freedom as a fundamental right, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to remember all journalists killed in the exercise of their profession. The anniversary was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 following the Recommendation adopted by the UNESCO General Conference in 1991, which had responded to the address of African journalists and their historic Windhoek Declaration on pluralism and independence of information.
This year, the World Conference of UNESCO on World Free Press Day is being held in Uruguay from 2 to 5 May both presence and online. The theme is “Journalism under Digital Siege”, with a focus on the impact of the digital age on freedom of expression, on journalists’ security, access to information and privacy. Yesterday, during the Conference, the Belarusian Association of journalists “BAJ”, which had been nominated by 46 countries, including Italy, through a European initiative, was awarded the “Guillermo Cano” award for press freedom. (@OnuItalia)
