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Press Release - June, 2001
World Media Freedom Day
Freedom of the Press and an independent and pluralistic media is a key
part of freedom of expression, protected by the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and the 1997 Constitution of Fiji, the Director of the
Fiji Human Rights Commission, Dr Shaista Shameem said yesterday. Commenting
on the significance of World Media Freedom Day, Dr Shameem said an independent
press meant one that was not only independent from government, but from
differing kinds of subtle economic and political control. Assaults on
freedom of the press had the effect of undermining the goals of the United
Nations Charter, affirmed as the standard of human rights for the whole
world.
As long as journalists were intimidated by threats and coercion, world press freedom would remain an elusive goal, Dr Shameem said, People have the right to be directly informed of all issues and the press was the best way to ensure that. The press must also be able to constructively criticize governments and there should be no obstruction to the free flow of information to the press and from the press to the people. Indeed, the press often acts as a warning sign for events; when they are suppressed it means that other repression is bound to happen, she said.
Dr Shameem said that freedom of expression was not a gracious concession of the authorities but an inalienable right of all people. It was the essential vehicle for the exchange of ideas between nations and cultures without which there can be no lasting cooperation. The exercise of freedom of opinion, expression and information, recognized as an integral part of human rights and fundamental freedoms, is a vital factor in the strengthening of peace, reconciliation and international understanding. Journalists ought to be assured of protection guaranteeing them the best conditions for the exercise of their profession, Dr Shameem said.
The mass media have an important contribution to make in countering prejudice and other violations of human rights and in providing information on the aims and aspirations, cultures and needs of all peoples, she said. They can contribute to eliminate ignorance and misunderstanding between people, to make them sensitive to the needs of others, to foster respect for people regardless of race, sex, religion or other personal characteristics or circumstances and to draw attention to the great evils which afflict humanity such as poverty, malnutrition and diseases. The contribution of journalists to improving the condition of humanity cannot be underestimated by governments, nor by the public at large because it is usually through press reports that governments can be made aware of the problems in society.
The mass media have an important role to play in the education of young people by promoting the idea among the youth that human rights, equality, justice, peace and economic and social progress are essential to the advancement of humanity. The power of the mass media over young people is obvious in this age of telecommunication and the Internet. The media have a responsibility to ensure that young people are not subjected to programmes or stories that foster discrimination, prejudice and disrespect for others. Media freedom must therefore be balanced with media responsibility, Dr Shameem said.