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"Safe to Speak" is this year's theme for World Press Freedom Day 2013. The need to ensure the safety of journalists worldwide on the traditional forms of media as well as the new media is being highlighted this year. in 2012, 121 journalists were killed worldwide. Journalists who have died for their art are being remembered on the 20th annual World Press Freedom day.
BBC Global News Director Peter Horrocks said that intimidation and threats of physical violence are rising, and the international community needs to look into the creation of proper international frameworks to ensure that journalists are protected.
In the years since the first World Press Freedom Day in 1993, digital technology has revolutionised the way journalists communicate their stories. In many ways, journalism has been democratised and the media can no longer be easily controlled. However , warned Peter Horrocks, in some parts of the world we have seen serious and disturbing attempts to impede or prevent reporting by free and independent media within states, across borders and through the internet.
Reporters without Boarders have published a document
Predators to Freedom of Information 2013, naming those leaders and entities who are a threat to freedom of information
In Mexico supporters rallied for crime reporter Regina Martinez. The correspondent for news magazine Proceso, was found beaten and strangled to death in her home in Xalapa, in eastern Veracruz state in 2012.Last month, Jorge Antonio Hernandez Silva was sentenced to 38-years for her murder during an apparent botched robbery. But colleagues of Ms Martinez maintain that she was killed because of her journalistic work.
Meanwhile American Marie Colvin and Mika Yamamoto of Japan have been named “World Press Freedom Heroes” by the International Press Institute. They are among 39 journalists killed in the Syrian conflict last year. Those who have been incarcerated for their trade by authoritarian regimes are also being remembered, such as the 16 journalists kidnapped in Iran recently.
UN secretary General Ban Ki-moon, praised members of the media and spoke of a new intergovernmental plan to protect them:
“There is more that we can do, including greater protections through the rule of law. I urge all involved to do their utmost to translate the words of the plan into actions on the ground that will create a safer environment for the press”. There have been some good news stories for press freedom however. For example since last month people in Myanmar have access to private daily newspapers for the first time in half a century.
