We define democracy via the criteria of Human Rights – Political Rights; Free Speech; and the Absence of Public Corruption.
According to TED Talks, 83% of the population of this planet lives in a society without an independent press — that means that 83% of the population are deprived of true information. They do not know what is happening in their own country. The information is twisted or coloured or filtered, and they are deprived of the understanding of what is really happening. Those people lucky enough to be living in the remaining 17% of the world, who currently enjoy freedom of press, are also now at threat of losing the freedom of the press.
The Journalist has a huge responsibility of reporting correctly what is happening in the country to the public, nationally and internationally, giving voice to the unheard, poor and abused. Through the freedom of the press, the issues of corruption, criminality, and the violation of human rights are reported, that should bring about the accountability of government and private organisations. However, the job of a journalist is a challenging one, especially with the presence of the unethical motives of some powerful people and criminals, who do not want their evil deeds made known. The press therefore stands at risk of being bought out by unethical organisations. Or, if they do not agree with these powerful evil sources, then they are placed directly under attack.
United Nations: Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights states:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.
We celebrate the Freedom of Expression on May 3rd, World Press Freedom Day.
What should we do on this day?
- It is a day to thank the professionals in the field and to encourage the freedom of the press.
- It is a time to define responsible reporting that supports the human rights of all.
- It is a day to remind governments to increase the importance of the freedom of the press.
- And it is also a day to provide support to the media, which falls victim to any measures which restrain or abolish the freedom of the press.
Freedom of expression issues plague the East and West. They impact on other freedoms we at times take for granted.
In the UK with the wide usage of mobile phones and the internet, the threat is to the “right to privacy” for the ordinary individual.
In Pakistan, the major risk for journalists is “The Right to Life”. Forty two journalists have been killed since 1992 with 3 killed in 2012. (http://www.cpj.org/killed/asia/pakistan/)
Your voice Counts! Please stand up for the Right to Freedom of Expression and the Freedom of the Press.
Each of us has a responsibility to empower the press, so they can do their job of correctly reporting the issues that plague our countries.
Below, I am giving some links on recent news, so that you can assess if our freedoms are increasing or diminishing in the UK and Pakistan.
Freedom of expression is a key right. It is in the public interest to empower the press to report accurately.
Our Rights slip away, unless we protect the rights to freedom of expression and opinion, and an independent press.
Celebrate May 3rd by doing something towards “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression”.
Make people aware of this right and take action.
To limit the press is to insult a nation; to prohibit reading of certain books is to declare the inhabitants to be either fools or slaves. – Claude-Adrien Helvétius
Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too. – Voltaire
I am thankful for all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech. – Nancie J. Carmody
“Nations will rise and fall, but equality remains the ideal.
The universal aim is to achieve respect for the entire human race, not just for the dominant few.” -Carlos P. Romulo
UK
UK INVASION OF PEOPLES PRIVACY – RUPERT MURDOCH PHONE HACKING SCANDAL
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/07/20/rupert-murdoch-scandal-his-mother-warned-of-invasion-of-privacy-risks.html
RADICAL PHONE AND INTERNET MONITORING PROPOSAL TO BE PUT TO PARLIAMENT
http://en.rsf.org/royaume-uni-radical-phone-and-internet-03-04-2012,42231.html
CONCERN THAT SOCIAL NETWORKS TO BE TARGETED AS BLACKBERRY HELPS BRITISH POLICE IDENTIFY RIOTERS
http://en.rsf.org/united-kingdom-concern-that-social-networks-to-be-12-08-2011,40776.html
REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS SUPPORT MICHAEL DIXON’S FAMILY
http://en.rsf.org/united-kingdom-reporters-without-borders-support-19-07-2010,37968.html
PAKISTAN
SINDH HIGH COURT ORDERS GOVERNMENT TO STOP CENSORING WEBSITES ILLEGALLY
http://bolobhi.org/press-release-public-statements/press-releases/constitutional-petition-accepted-for-fundamental-rights-online/
DAWN NEWSPAPER EDITOR FOUND MURDERED IN KARACHI
http://dawn.com/2012/04/24/colleagues-tribute-to-murtaza-razvi/
INTELLIGENCE AGENCY CHOKING UNDER HEAPS OF BLAME IN MURDER OF JOURNALIST SALEEM SHAHZAD
http://en.rsf.org/pakistan-intelligence-agency-choking-under-17-02-2012,41902.html
TRIBAL JOURNALIST SHOT DEAD IN MOSQUE BY TALIBAN
http://en.rsf.org/pakistan-tribal-journalist-shot-dead-in-17-01-2012,41694.html