Today is World Press Freedom Day: May 3.
We honour those willing to pursue truth knowing it could endanger their lives.
Chen Jieren, a journalist and blogger in China, was recently given a 15 year sentence for “picking quarrels and provoking troubles” which means he criticized the Party.
Access to a lawyer and being detained humanely is not likely to occur in countries where freedom of the press is not valued. You can go missing if posting data about covid runs counter to State ideology. Sharing information has the potential to enrich society and save lives.
Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated, ”I am also concerned by steps taken to impose restrictions on media freedom and freedom of expression. Vaguely formulated actions to combat alleged “misinformation” could be applied to any criticism, and in some countries we have already seen reports of journalists being penalized for reporting a lack of masks; health-workers reprimanded for saying they lack protection; and ordinary people arrested for social media postings about the pandemic. Criticism is not a crime”.
Happy World Press Freedom Day!
I love fiction but reality in politics and life is so important.
Truth is worth guarding.
- Goff, P. (2020, May 1). Chinese journalist jailed for 15 years for criticising Communist Party. Retrieved from The Irish Times.
2. Bachelet, Michelle. (2020, April 9.) Informal briefing to the Human Rights Council. Retrieved from Office of the High Commissioner. https://www.ohchr.org/en/newsevents/pages/media.aspx