04/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - Freedom is at heart of democracy, Jerzy Buzek says. On 3 May, World Press Freedom Day, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek said that free press and free media were a precondition for any democratic society. The mere act of voting is not enough, he said. “At the heart of democracy are active and well informed citizens who have access to factual information and independent analysis. This is a prerequisite to qualify a political system as a real democracy and free press is the cornerstone of political accountability”, he said. This will be the next challenge facing the Arab countries in their political transition, he added. (H.B./transl.rt)