On Friday, also known as World Press Freedom Day, Belgium joins a partnership of more than fifty countries to advocate for media freedom and the safety of journalists worldwide. This was announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib (MR).
The Media Freedom Coalition was founded in 2019 and currently has 51 member countries from six continents. They stand up for individual journalists and media organizations who are under pressure, even in countries that are not affiliated.
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“The Belgian connection offers new opportunities for various forms of cooperation with other members to protect media freedom and pluralism around the world,” a Foreign Affairs press release said.
The announcement of the Belgian connection will take place on World Press Freedom Day, today May 3. This is not without importance, because according to Reporters Without Borders, 45 journalists worldwide died while practicing their profession in 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says. 521 journalists are currently being held on arbitrary grounds related to their profession.
Essential
“Yet journalists are an essential part of a well-functioning and open democracy. In addition to an informative, they also have a monitoring function and keep social abuses under the microscope. Journalists can only fulfill their role if they can work in complete independence and safety, in an environment that respects freedom of expression,” it said.
Especially now that digital channels are being used to spread disinformation in an increasingly divided world, “a continued commitment is needed to safeguard the right to freedom of opinion and expression, which includes freedom of information and freedom of the press, worldwide” , according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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