World Press Freedom Day 2012
Media Freedom Helping to Transform Society
Media plays an important role for a positive change of society especially to changes of life of grassroots and marginalized people. A free press provides a window through which all other abuses of fundamental rights can be revealed. Journalist and press play an active role to provide news and information to the society. But in least developed countries or where governance institutions are weak, journalists suffered a lot, sometimes at the cost of their lives collect news and information. In its various campaign and advocacy, SUPRO integrate news and information of press. On the other hand, journalists always extend their cooperation for dissemination of the campaign information and for effective advocacy.
Media plays an important role for a positive change of society especially to changes of life of grassroots and marginalized people. A free press provides a window through which all other abuses of fundamental rights can be revealed. Journalist and press play an active role to provide news and information to the society. But in least developed countries or where governance institutions are weak, journalists suffered a lot, sometimes at the cost of their lives collect news and information. In its various campaign and advocacy, SUPRO integrate news and information of press. On the other hand, journalists always extend their cooperation for dissemination of the campaign information and for effective advocacy.
SUPRO observed “World Press Freedom Day 2012” through organizing a human chain in front of National Museum, Shahbag, Dhaka. Recalling Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 and which states that the fundamental right of freedom of expression encompasses the freedom “to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers,” World Press Freedom Day is celebrated across the globe every 3 May. Kazi Shfiqur Rahman of SUPRO moderated the human chain, while Manzu Rani Pramanik executive board member Abu Ala Mahmudul Hasan Deputy Director, Kazi Shafiqur Rahman, Coordinator-Training & Capacity Building, Saif Uddin ahmed, Campaign Coordinator, Md. Shariful Islam, AC-Media & Development Communication of SUPRO and Unnati Rani, feroza Begum and Bilkis Akhter of SUPRO Dhaka Campaign Group spoke among others in the human chain.
Following demands came out from the human chain:
- Ensure a proper broadcast policy.
- Ensure Freedom of press to foster national development
- Ensure Safety and security in workplace for journalist
- Full-fledged implementation of Right to Information is a must for independence of press
- Writings of journalists must be maintained to establish and sustain democracy
- Highest form of safety must be ensured for journalists while working in war-zone and in post natural disaster
- Free and independent media ensures human right