Statement: APPN Salutes All Journalists in Africa 

On World Press Freedom Day 2023, the African Parliamentary Press Network (APPN) would like to seize the occasion on this special anniversary to salute all journalists and media practitioners on the continent working so hard to disseminate information to the public sometimes under very difficult conditions and especially journalists and communication officers dotted around the various Parliaments doing their part to ensure that every Parliamentary information is laid at the doorstep of the ordinary citizen.

Marking 30 years since the UN General Assembly’s decision proclaiming an international day for press freedom, we find this year’s theme very significant as defined by UNESCO as “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all Other Human Rights”.

It is significant in the sense that, it rightly recognizes freedom of expression as the key element to opening the doors to the protection of all other Human Rights. We, therefore, want to appeal to governments in Africa to be alive to their obligation to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression and to protect the safety of journalists and media workers.

The APPN takes access to information seriously due to its impact on the work of journalists. It has therefore dedicated this year to working with the various country caucuses of the Network to implement projects that will promote press freedom and Access to information across the continent.

We are poised to hold firmly the rights of our members to work in a safe and secure environment devoid of intimidation, and we call on like-minded Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations (PMOs), donor organizations, and corporate bodies to partner with us to promote press freedom on the continent.

We also want to call on governments on the continent that have not yet formulated legislation on Access to Information and not enabled freedom of Expression regimes to do so as soon as possible.

History:

World Press Freedom Day was first proclaimed by UNESCO in 1991 in response to the increasing number of attacks on journalists and media outlets around the world. In December 1993, World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference. On December 20, 1993, UNGA declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day.

Significance:

World Press Freedom Day increases awareness about the importance of press freedom highlighting the critical role that journalists and media outlets play in promoting democracy, and human rights. In their line of work, journalists and media workers face significant risks and challenges in their work, including censorship, harassment, intimidation, and even physical attacks.

About the APPN:

African Parliamentary Press Network is a network of Parliamentary journalists and Parliamentary Communication Officers working together to advocate for the rights of the journalist, disseminate Parliamentary information to the public, and promote Open Parliament across Africa.

Signed:

Gilbert Boyefio

Coordinator, APPN

Clement Akoloh

Head of Communications,

APPN