(Last Updated On: 3 May 2020)

Today, journalists around the World are celebrating World Press Freedom Day under the theme: “Journalism Without Fear And Favor”

The Vice Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on ICT and National Guidance Hon Paul Amoru Omiat has asked government to provide the much needed space and freedom for journalists to serve in their profession.

In his World Press Freedom Day 2020 message, Mr Amoru who is also the Dokolo North County Member of Parliament, decried the intimidation and threats that journalists have faced from security agencies in their quest of gathering information. He asked that this should stop.

According to MP Amoru, the current chairperson of Parliamentary Forum on Media, Media occupies a very critical and strategic space to provide information needed for the benefit of the population to make the country a better place.

Below is Hon Paul Amoru’s full statement

“Every year 3^rd May is set aside as a special day to remind governments and indeed the population of the World about the central contribution, the critical role that our media plays to make our lives and our World a better place.

It is a reminder that the space, the freedom and protection of journalists in their line of duty is absolutely necessary. We know journalists face lots of challenges ranging from low pay, intimidation, threats from security agencies, governments, big and multinational cooperation but journalists have continued to stand the ground and to provide information without fear or favor.

We also know another challenge as the World is grappling with the pandemic of Covid-19, there is a lot of misinformation, a lot of fake news that has continued to provide harmful health and also many conspiracy theories but journalism will be the antidote to deal with this challenge of new media and information age that thrives on social media.

So the space that journalists occupy remains cardinal and key and it’s my appeal that governments around the World provide the much needed space and freedom for our journalists to serve in their profession.

I call upon journalists to observe and embrace self-regulatory mechanisms that will allow them to create more confidence and integrity in the service of humanity.

I congratulate and salute the media and want to wish them a lovely World Press Freedom Day.”