PRESS STATEMENT: WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

GHANA INDEPENDENT BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 3rd MAY, 2020

On 3rd May every year, the United Nations, UNESCO and the rest of the world celebrate World Press Freedom Day. It is a day set aside to assess the state of press freedom around the world, defend the media from attacks, reinforce the principles of media independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives while doing their work. It is also a day of reflection for media organizations and practitioners to discuss issues relating to press freedom, professional ethics and best practices.

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Journalism without Fear or Favour’.
This phrase ‘without fear or favour’ was introduced into the media landscape in 1896 by Adolph S. Ochs; the founding father of the modern New York Times.

It is a statement of affirmation that reporters would undertake their work without partiality, deference towards any particular person, group, opinion, ideology, race, creed or interest. For 124 years now, the phrase has become synonymous with the concept of journalistic standards, independence and impartiality. With the independence and freedom of the media coming under severe scrutiny in many countries and especially in this COVID-19 era, this theme cannot be more relevant now than ever.

‘Journalism without Fear or Favour in a COVID-19 era’
Media plays a very important role in the COVID-19 response in spite of all the present attending challenges to the industry. With research showing that between 80% and 90% of people consuming news every day, modern technology has helped greatly in carrying the news about the virus to the masses. While the news of the virus has taken over the headlines of every news medium, the spread of information and disinformation has increased on social media especially. This presents a growing challenge to a lot of countries and presents a situation of a new pandemic the World Health Organization (WHO) has described as “the era of Infodemic”; an era where information, both authentic and fake , are present in abundance.

UNESCO has stated that in the current crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, media workers are as vital as other essential professionals. Accurate information help save lives and disinformation presents a danger for both health workers as well as citizens. “In times of crises, news media, data journalism, fact checkers and investigative reporting shed light, whereas disinformation spreads darkness, fear and a chain of bad decisions.”

“Journalism without fear or Favour” is especially relevant in this COVID-19 era in combating disinformation from both government angle and any other source. The current disruption in business posed by the pandemic which has led to revenue losses and budgetary challenges is global and unprecedented.

Media organizations are encouraged at this moment to see their service to humanity as essential and to do all possible to remain at the forefront of the war against the pandemic.

In conclusion, the World Press Freedom Day serves as an occasion to remind the public about violations of press freedom. It is a day to remind the countries around the world, where publications are censored, media houses are fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered to look at ways of improving their records. It is a day to encourage and develop initiatives in favour of press freedom especially as we all fight to end COVID-19 globally.

GIBA on this occasion wish all journalists and other media practitioners well as we join efforts in fighting COVID¬-19 and celebrate global Press freedom.

Thank you.

Signed:
Andrew Danso-Aninkora
PRESIDENT