Brussels, 03/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - As part of the 20th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton signed, on behalf of the EU, that “the EU is determined to fight for press freedom worldwide and condemns the increasing level of intimidation, violence and censorship that journalists face in many countries”. She called on all governments to allow journalists to work in safety, without the fear of censorship or prosecution. “A free, independent and vibrant press is indispensable in any democratic society”, Ashton stated, paying “tribute to journalists worldwide who dedicate their lives - sometimes at great personal cost - to reporting events or expressing views that many prefer to silence”.
Ashton said that the EU will continue to promote freedom of expression on-line and off-line, and to condemn violations of the right to freedom of expression, “with a view to ensuring that journalists across the world can discharge their professional duties without hindrance”.
In 2012, 88 journalists were killed, 879 were arrested and 1,993 were subjected to threats or physically attacked. The same year, 144 bloggers or citizens who contribute on the internet were also arrested. There are currently 174 journalists in prison worldwide. (CG/transl.fl)