The Kenyan media stakeholders also marked the World Press Freedom Day today.
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in his message said,
” May 3 acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. It is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty”
“Stop the threats and attacks. Stop detaining and imprisoning journalists for doing their jobs. Stop the lies and disinformation. Stop targeting truth and truth-tellers,” the UN Chief Guterres added, as UNESCO hosts the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day.
Locally, the Media Council of Kenya CEO David Omwoyo called on stakeholders to use the special day as an opportunity to put a strong focus on freedom of expression within the overall rights agenda.
The President of the Kenya Editors Guild Zubeida Kananu in her message, said “As we mark this day, it is our hope that we can jointly find long lasting solutions to threats that stand in the way of journalists in Kenya, African and the world”
According to the Global Press Freedoms index, Norway is the top country globally to uphold press freedoms with a global Score of 95.18. Ireland in position 2 with a score of 89.91 followed by Denmark, Sweden and Finland.
Namibia is the first African on the index in position 22 on the Global index followed by South Africa in position 25
Kenya lies at position 116 of the World Press Freedom Global index
Morocco and the United Arab Emirates are the last two countries on the Global index released by global media watchdog Reporters without Borders, on the ratings of countries in upholding press freedoms.