The world is today celebrating the Press Freedom Day whose theme is information as a public good.
However, according to the Committee to protect Journalists, at least 30 journalists have lost their lives in the line of duty in 2020. This marks an increase from the 10 murders recorded in 2019.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, most media houses were forced to effect up to 50% pay cuts to sustain themselves.
The Media Council of Kenya, says the theme for this year’s celebration is a call to affirm the importance of cherishing information & exploring what can be done in the production, distribution, and reception of content to strengthen journalism, and to advance transparency and empowerment while leaving no one behind.
UNESCO has now called on journalists to be on the forefront in tackling misinformation and other harmful content.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day theme “Information as a Public Good” serves as a call to affirm the importance of cherishing information as a public good, exploring what can be done in the production, distribution and reception of content to strengthen journalism, and to advance transparency and empowerment while leaving no one behind.
The theme is of urgent relevance to all countries across the world including Cambodia. It recognizes the changing communications system that is impacting on our health, our human rights, democracies and sustainable development.