Source: Balkan Insight:
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| Photo by: Wikimedia Commons/Silar |
To work as a journalist today, you need a great deal of courage. In the last twelve months, hundreds of journalists, photographers and camera operators in the world have been killed, injured, kidnapped, threatened or sued. Europe is no exception: worrying patterns are eroding press freedom here too. We must reverse them.
A free, safe, independent and pluralistic press is a core element of any functioning democracy because it is instrumental in protecting all other human rights. Instances of torture, discrimination, corruption or misuse of power have many times come to light because of the courageous work of journalists. Truth-telling is often the first, essential step to start redressing human rights violations and help hold governments accountable.
Categories: Europe, Europe and Australia, European Union
Remarkable analysis. However lacks one important issue. Some times media itself ignores and hides facts or news fearing wrath of powerful rulers or groups. Reporting must be free and fair for all factions of the society.
Where would we be in terms of global knowledge if it was not for the media? Overall, the courage and determination of Journalists deserves recognition and acknowledgement. Despite constant threats, executions, kidnappings, arrests, they pursue their task with dedication and perseverance. The freedom of the press is an essential right to get to the truth and there should be no room for fear or intimidation in a civil society. Sadly, there are countries who perpetrate barbarous acts on innocent Journalists. We implore Governments for the immediate release of prisoners and to foster free and responsible press.
Also government should Improve law and order to protect the innocent people, to protect witnesses. It is the basic teaching of Islam to give true witness. In a country where no one is ready to give witness, at the same time, daily false witnesses appear in same courts and nothing is done to stop such things, there seems to be something seriously wrong in country.
Why government does not do anything to protect witnesses? It is useless to put the burden of presenting the truth on the media persons in such bad conditions. It is okay to praise and support the freedom of the media. That will help bring good results. But other chronic problems should addressed. That will help the media.