Today is World Press Freedom Day (WPFD). This day is celebrated across the globe every 3 May, representing an opportunity to advance the fundamental principles of press freedom and to pay solemn tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), World Press Freedom Day in 2016 highlights the links between press freedom, a culture of openness and the right to freedom of information, and sustainable development in the digital age. The common thread in all these is the role of journalism, and the importance of safeguarding those who bring this service to the public. This year’s WPFD, UNESCO said, will examine the questions from three different perspectives: freedom of information as a fundamental freedom and as a human right, protecting press freedom from censorship and surveillance overreach; and ensuring safety for journalism online and offline.
Here in CARICOM, the Region’s commitment to freedom of expression and access to information is outlined in the Charter of Civil Society for the Caribbean Community. Article VIII of the Charter reads:
“ARTICLE VIII- Freedom of Expression and Access to Information
1. Every person shall have the right to the enjoyment of freedom of expression including the right to:
(a) hold opinions and to receive and communicate ideas and information without interference and freely to send or receive communications by correspondence or other means;
(b) seek, distribute or disseminate to other persons and the public information, opinions, and ideas in any form whatever.
2. The right conferred by paragraph 1 of this Article shall also be enjoyed by the media.
3. The exercise of the right conferred by this Article carries with it special duties and responsibilities and may be exercisable subject to such reasonable restrictions in the public interest, as may be imposed by law and are justifiable in a democratic society:
(a) for the protection of the reputations, rights and freedoms of other persons; or
(b) in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health.
4. The States shall respect, encourage and promote the existence of a diversity of sources of information as a means of ensuring greater public access to information.
5. This Article shall not be construed as preventing the State from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, transmission or other means of communication, public exhibition or public entertainment.”