United States Works to Promote and Support Free Media Worldwide

In his May 3^rd, 2007, statement President Bush made clear that the United States considers freedom of the press an indispensable pillar of democracy, and condemned harassment and persecution of journalists: 

“On this day we commemorate World Press Freedom Day.  The United States values freedom of the press as one of the most fundamental political rights and as a necessary component of free societies.  In undemocratic societies where governments suppress, manipulate, and control access to information, journalists are on the front lines of the people's battle for freedom.  The danger journalists face in such repressive States can be great -- and even deadly.

On behalf of the American people, I salute those in the press who courageously do their work at great risk.  No independent media are allowed in countries such as Cuba and North Korea, and those who attempt to report are often imprisoned.  Repressive laws severely restrict journalists and freedom of speech in countries such as Belarus, Burma, Iran, Libya, Syria, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.  We condemn the harassment, physical intimidation, and persecution that journalists, including bloggers and Internet reporters, have faced in China, Egypt, Tunisia, and Vietnam; and the unsolved murders of journalists in Lebanon, Russia, and Belarus.

Bringing unfiltered information, news, and facts to the people and accountability to their governments is the hallmark of the fourth estate.

Today we salute the free press for its dedication to the people's right to know.”  (End Statement.)

Jonathan Farrar, U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour spoke with participants from around the world during a State Department-sponsored web chat.  Farrar emphasized that the U.S. Government values and supports freedom of the press and journalists worldwide and has a strong track record in promoting and protecting press freedom and will continue to do so.

In the Middle East, Farrar noted, “We see many people in the Arab world standing up courageously in support of press freedom. We speak out in defence of press freedom rights when persons are detained for exercising their rights to free speech, such as has happened with internet bloggers and others, whether in the Arab world or elsewhere. Through the Middle East Partnership Initiative, we seek to help build the capacity of civil society, including journalists, to advance their own initiatives to defend press freedom.”

(MEPI provides support for free and independent media through its region-wide MENA Media Program, and through several local grants.)