ISLAMABAD: The UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his
message on Press Freedom Day said, “Journalists and media workers are crucial
to helping us make informed decisions. As the world fights the COVID-19
pandemic, those decisions can make the difference between life and death.”

“On World Press Freedom Day, we call on governments — and
others — to guarantee that journalists can do their jobs throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic and beyond,” he said. “As the pandemic spreads, it has also
given rise to a second pandemic of misinformation, from harmful health advice
to wild conspiracy theories”, he said. “The press provides the antidote:
verified scientific fact-based news and analysis. But since the pandemic began,
many journalists are being subjected to increased restrictions and punishments
simply for doing their jobs,” he said.

The UN secretary-general added that temporary constraints on
freedom of movement were essential to beat COVID-19, but they must not be
abused as an excuse to crack down on journalists’ ability to do their work.

“Today, we thank the media for providing facts and analysis
for holding leaders in every sector accountable and for speaking truth. We
particularly recognise those who are playing a life-saving role reporting on
public health,” he said.

“And we call on governments to protect media workers and to
strengthen and maintain press freedom which is essential for a future of peace
justice and human rights for all,” Guterres concluded.

Newspaper: The
News