The Swedish government through its Ambassador to Liberia Madam Ingrid Wetterqvist and the UNDP Resident Representative to Liberia Mr. Stephen Rodriques have issued a joint statement expressing serious concern about the drop by three spots, to 95 of 180 countries surveyed, in the 2021 Reporters Without Borders’ annual World Press Freedom Index, stressing that they are worrying signs and should be of concern for both the Government of Liberia and its partners.
The statement while appreciating the level of freedom so far being enjoyed in the country, it also highlighted the grey areas that speak of the harsh environment journalists work in the country.
“Here in Liberia, the 2019 Abdulai Kamara Press Freedom Act effectively decriminalised “libel”, “sedition,” and “criminal malevolence” – and this was a major step towards expanding democratic rights – but still there is an atmosphere of self-censorship based on actual violence as well as threats of violence against journalists”.
The statement said that attacks on and threats against journalists and media outlets have been on the increase since 2018, reaching a crescendo in the lead-up to the 2020 elections.
“Last year, there were 28 reported incidents of violence and intimidation against journalists, according to a report from the Press Union of Liberia and the Committee to Protect Journalists. While some acts were perpetrated by private citizens, far too many involved instruments of State power”, the statement added.
The statement further said that through their programs, both the Government of Sweden and UNDP are committed to fostering freedom of expression and access to information, both online and offline, in line with international guarantees of these rights. It added that they support a free, independent, and pluralistic media, while reinforcing the need to protect the safety of journalists, with a specific focus on women journalists.
“In everything we do in Liberia, we work with the Government to help expand peoples’ options and opportunities. Development, ultimately, is about whether people are able to live long, healthy, and meaningful lives, to make choices, and to have a say in things that matter to their own development. Access to information plays a critical role in ensuring that people are well informed in making choices and decisions, and about what is happening in their communities, their country and the world at large”, the statement said.
The statement furthered: “Development relies on an informed citizenry, and this, in turn, can only be assured through the work of free, independent, and professional journalists”.
The two diplomats noted in the statement that Declaration of the World Press Freedom Day emphasised that information is a public good to which everyone is entitled, and this was the theme for this year’s celebration of World Press Freedom Day stressing that Information is both a means and an end to the fulfilment of collective human aspirations, including those enshrined in Chapter 3 Article 15A of the Liberian Constitution, in the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and in the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The statement went on to say that a fair and credible media is the lifeblood of a free and transparent society. As stated in the Windhoek Declaration “Enhanced transparency makes for public accountability.” Journalism, and especially high-quality investigative journalism, has the power to hold a government accountable to its electorate, to uncover the truth behind the operations of public and private institutions, and to provide citizens with oversight over the activities of the State. Citizens with access to credible and timely information on the decisions that impact their daily lives can make their voices heard and their needs known. Access to information is fundamental for democracy to function.
The Swedish government through its Ambassador to Liberia Madam Ingrid Wetterqvist and the UNDP Resident Representative to Liberia Mr. Stephen Rodriques have issued a joint statement expressing serious concern about the drop by three spots, to 95 of 180 countries surveyed, in the 2021 Reporters Without Borders’ annual World Press Freedom Index, stressing that they are worrying signs and should be of concern for both the Government of Liberia and its partners.
The statement while appreciating the level of freedom so far being enjoyed in the country, it also highlighted the grey areas that speak of the harsh environment journalists work in the country.
“Here in Liberia, the 2019 Abdulai Kamara Press Freedom Act effectively decriminalised “libel”, “sedition,” and “criminal malevolence” – and this was a major step towards expanding democratic rights – but still there is an atmosphere of self-censorship based on actual violence as well as threats of violence against journalists”.
The statement said that attacks on and threats against journalists and media outlets have been on the increase since 2018, reaching a crescendo in the lead-up to the 2020 elections.
“Last year, there were 28 reported incidents of violence and intimidation against journalists, according to a report from the Press Union of Liberia and the Committee to Protect Journalists. While some acts were perpetrated by private citizens, far too many involved instruments of State power”, the statement added.
The statement further said that through their programs, both the Government of Sweden and UNDP are committed to fostering freedom of expression and access to information, both online and offline, in line with international guarantees of these rights. It added that they support a free, independent, and pluralistic media, while reinforcing the need to protect the safety of journalists, with a specific focus on women journalists.
“In everything we do in Liberia, we work with the Government to help expand peoples’ options and opportunities. Development, ultimately, is about whether people are able to live long, healthy, and meaningful lives, to make choices, and to have a say in things that matter to their own development. Access to information plays a critical role in ensuring that people are well informed in making choices and decisions, and about what is happening in their communities, their country and the world at large”, the statement said.
The statement furthered: “Development relies on an informed citizenry, and this, in turn, can only be assured through the work of free, independent, and professional journalists”.
The two diplomats noted in the statement that Declaration of the World Press Freedom Day emphasised that information is a public good to which everyone is entitled, and this was the theme for this year’s celebration of World Press Freedom Day stressing that Information is both a means and an end to the fulfilment of collective human aspirations, including those enshrined in Chapter 3 Article 15A of the Liberian Constitution, in the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and in the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The statement went on to say that a fair and credible media is the lifeblood of a free and transparent society. As stated in the Windhoek Declaration “Enhanced transparency makes for public accountability.” Journalism, and especially high-quality investigative journalism, has the power to hold a government accountable to its electorate, to uncover the truth behind the operations of public and private institutions, and to provide citizens with oversight over the activities of the State. Citizens with access to credible and timely information on the decisions that impact their daily lives can make their voices heard and their needs known. Access to information is fundamental for democracy to function.
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