AKEL on World Press Freedom Day

 

2 May 2023, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, AKEL expresses its appreciation to journalists who are working and struggling for correct, accurate and objective information, who honor their profession and mission which should scrutinize and judge political and economic power, often in adverse conditions.

Especially in the current conditions of an economic, social and institutional crisis, journalists, in European countries too, are subject to pressure and various threats in order to serve specific interests. These threats are targeting the fundamental freedom of expression, the freedom of the press and the movement of ideas.  There have been repeated international reports released and interventions made by independent journalistic groups, but also institutions such as the European Parliament, which on numerous occasions have pointed out that the freedom of the press is being undermined due to the pressure exerted by powerful interests serving the interwoven interests of media moguls with the economic and political establishment.

Today, media workers are working in very difficult conditions, not only facing political pressure but also job insecurity which intensifies the phenomenon of self-censorship. The State has an obligation to protect pluralism and the freedom of the press by formulating, through strategic planning and support, a framework that enhances the independence and freedom of the press in order to effectively protect freedom of expression and, by extension, the objective information of people.