Last 3rd of May, all over the world was celebrated the importance of press freedom. This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published in May of 2017, with the title of, "Critical minds for critical times: Media's role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies". At https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/wpfd2017_concept-note_en.pdf . The second was published at https://www.cpj.org/reports/2016/10/impunity-index-getting-away-with-murder-killed-justice.php After declining audiences for traditional media and sliding profits, the proliferation of fake news as exemplified in the coverage of several major political events in 2016 is the latest challenge to affect the media sector. However, every challenge contains within it the seeds of opportunity. Jim Rutenberg from the New York Times has suggested that the explosion in fake news in 2016 may serve to raise the value of real news, concluding: "If so, it will be great journalism that saves journalism." Original, critical, and well-researched journalism is perhaps needed more today than ever before. Sri Lanka journalist Lasantha Wickrematunghe, who was assassinated in 2009, described free media as "a mirror in which the public can see itself sans mascara and styling gel", adding: "From them you learn the state of your nation, and especially its management by the people you elected to give your children a better future". Media's contribution to good governance and development has been recognized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), adopted by U.N. The 2017 World Press Freedom Day is focused on why it is vital to strengthen free and quality journalism to enable the media to effectively contribute to the achievement of SDG. Specifically, the interrelationships between freedom of expression, justice for all and rule of law, peace, and inclusiveness. The rule of law forms an integral part of a democratic and inclusive society. It protects fundamental freedoms and applies universally to each individual and entity. It is the process through which everyone can be held accountable for their actions. Weak institutions, a weak judiciary, and lack of access to justice greatly impede sustainable development. Without a well-functioning legal environment, the public loses confidence in the democratic process. Only when media are free, independent and pluralistic can they ensure that the rule of law is applied and respected in full. Investigative journalism has a crucial role to play in this respect, by uncovering political and economic corruption and other wrongdoing. Free media and an independent, effective judiciary play a mutually reinforcing role as pillars of democracy. Impunity for crimes committed against journalists amd media professionals is a major obstacle to ensuring the safety of journalists and freedom of expression as a whole. The lack of due legal course affects every member of society, as it perpetuates a cycle of violence and creates a chilling effect through self-censorship. Critical voices on issues of public interest are silenced and informed debate is stifled. The digital era has enhanced opportunities for access to information, the creation and sharing of knowledge, facilitating exchange as well as intercultural dialogue. However, the rise of online hate speech shows that digital tech also carry with them a number of challenges. One of these is striking the right balance between freedom of expression and respect for equality and human dignity. With the advent of digital tech, the flow of information has increased in large measures. As the world progresses through the 21st century, its reliance on ICTs has allowed for a greater participation of the public in the media. Open debates fueled by online sharing applications and news content producers distributing via social media are only a couple of the many examples of reinforced seeking, receiving and imparting of information. Enabled by digital tech, public participation in the media has allowed for a democratization of narrative. ICTs imbue inclusiveness by their global reach and give a voice to everyone with a working internet connection. However, the increased demand for more information has laid bare the role of internet intermediaries, the compromise of the confidentiality of sources, the risks in terms of digital safety, in addition to the rise of online hate speech mentioned above. There is a growing need to consider the right to information along with the value of transparency, in terms of an appropriate balance with the right to impart information and the right to privacy. In addition, efforts are needed to overcome inequalities in terms of information, and ensure that marginalized populations are part of the move towards knowledge societies. Digital illiteracy is another obstacle which needs to be addressed in full before significant strides can be made. Only a well-informed and inclusive society can take its destiny in hand, participate in the democratic functioning of its institutions, and work towards a better future. By enabling the empowerment of citizens, freedom of information is a cornerstone of participatory democracy. It also plays an essential role in promoting accountable and effective institutions. Better information flows can also enhance those institutions' efficiency and responsiveness, while strengthening citizens' trust in those who govern them. Ensuring inclusiveness also entails empowering those who have traditionally been excluded from participating in and sharing public discourse. Progress towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals will only be complete when equal opportunities are available to all people. Everyone should be given the means to fully participate in all aspects of life. All media are important actors in promoting social inclusion. Their potential to promote dialogue, reflect the diversity of opinions and challenge stereotypes and misrepresentations, should be encouraged.
Violence perpetrated against journalists by criminal groups and local officials allowed impunity to tighten its grip in Latin America, with Brazil and Mexico each moving two spots higher on the index this year. The Impunity Index, published annually to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists calculates the number of unsolved murders over a 10-year period as a percentage of each country's population. Besides Philippines, Mexico, and Brazil, criminal groups and governments officials are also leading suspects in murders of journalists in Russia and India. Each of those countries expect Brazil has appeared on the index since its inception. Brazil has had 15 journalists killed in the past decade with complete impunity. The journalists killed were reporting on politics and corruption outside the major cities. In the past three years, suspects have been convicted in six cases, more than any other country where CPJ has recorded journalist murders, though in only one case has full justice been achieved. Brazil moved two spots higher on the imounity index this year due to new muders. One of them, the editor João Miranda do Carmo, known for criticizing local government officials, was threatened twice, before two men parked outside his house and shot him dead, in July 2016 in the state of Goiás. Before the murder, João do Carmo had informed police of both threats. In more than half of the murders in Brazil examined for this index, the victims were threatened before they were killed.
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