20th World Press Freedom Day marked

(Vatican Radio) Friday 3^rd May marks World Press Freedom Day. It’s 20 years since this day was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations leading to the Windhoek Declaration on Promoting Independent and Pluralistic Media. Every year many journalists risk their lives sometimes dying in the process in the cause of their journalistic work.
This last year has been no different, in Syria alone 39 journalists paid the ultimate price reporting on the conflict there.
And in Mexico journalists on Sunday marched in the capital to protest against violence that has claimed the lives of colleagues.
Highlighting World Press Freedom Day UN secretary General Ban Ki-moon, called for greater protection for Journalists.“There is more that we can do, including greater protections through the rule of law.

I urge all involved to do their utmost to translate the words of the plan into actions on the ground that will create a safer environment for the press”. This year two reporters who were killed while working in Syria are being honoured.
The Times reporter Marie Colvin and Mika Yamamoto of Japan, have been named “World Press Freedom Heroes” by the International Press Institute. Listen