Department of State * United States of America * Mission U.S. to UNESCO
You are in:  The U.S. and UNESCO > Communication and Information > The U.S. Mission to UNESCO joins with UNESCO in marking May 3, 2007 as World Press Freedom Day
U.S. Policy Statements U.S. Policy Statements
      General Conference  General Conference 
      Executive Board  Executive Board 
      Other Remarks  Other Remarks 
The U.S. and UNESCO The U.S. and UNESCO
      Education  Education 
      Natural Sciences  Natural Sciences 
      Culture  Culture 
      World Heritage  World Heritage 
      Communication and Information  Communication 
and Information
      Social and Human Sciences  Social and
Human Sciences
Other U.S. Initiatives Other U.S. Initiatives and News
About the Mission About the Mission
      Ambassador  Ambassador 
      Deputy  Deputy 
      General Information  General Information 
U.S. National Commission U.S. National Commission for UNESCO
Other Links Other Links
Education Banner
The U.S. Mission to UNESCO joins with UNESCO in marking May 3, 2007 as World Press Freedom Day
May, 2007
Free and open societies are not infallible, but they are accountable. A free press, acting as a conduit among a country’s leaders and its citizens, forms the backbone of an open society and is an important part of the democratic process. In the United States, and in many countries, the press provides opportunities for active debate, investigative reporting, and a forum to express views, particularly on behalf of those who are marginalized in society.

It is an unfortunate reality that the press is also a target for retaliation by those who feel threatened by freedom and transparency. Journalists are often the first to uncover corruption, observe from the front lines of conflict zones, and highlight wrongdoing by governments. This work places many journalists in danger, and it is the duty of governments and citizens to speak out for the protection of journalists and their role in society.

The United States stands with these courageous individuals who boldly have sought to report the truth, often under difficult circumstances. Specifically, we:

Report on violations and speak out
The State Department reports on the state of press freedom in its annual Country Reports on Human Rights. This year, for the first time, the 2006 reports included a separate sub-section on internet repression. These reports help governments, NGOs and citizens to call attention to the threats facing a free press. The U.S. speaks out when press freedoms are under siege, as we did when independent Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya was murdered on October 7, 2006.

Support a free press through programs and exchanges
The USG has a strong record of supporting NGOs that promote a free press abroad, including training for journalists, editors and media managers worldwide; supporting professional exchanges and civic education programs such as the Edward R. Murrow Journalism Program for enterprising foreign journalists; and providing assistance for the production of radio and television programs that are independent of state-controlled media.

Promote Internet freedom
Internet freedom is a key component of press freedom. Consequently, Secretary Rice launched the Global Internet Freedom Task Force (GIFT) in February, 2006, which focuses on maximizing the free flow of information and ideas on the internet while minimizing the success of repressive regimes in censoring such information. The US is committed to supporting innovative approaches to combating internet censorship, such as the development of a secure website for journalists and human rights defenders in closed societies.

Links of interest

Additional Resources on Press Freedom:
 
back to top ▲