on the occasion of the celebration of World Press Freedom Day
H.E Mr Svetozar Marovic, President of Serbia and Montenegro,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to convey my warm greetings to all those who have come here for the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day 2004. I would like particularly to express my gratitude to President Marovic for his gracious hospitality and to the Serbian-Montenegrin Authorities for their offer to host this event on the occasion of this important celebration.
World Press Freedom Day is the day on which we commemorate Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the right of freedom of expression. The creation of the United Nations system itself was aimed at establishing the conditions under which peace may flourish, on the basis of universally shared values. The UN mandate to take the lead in assisting the media was given to the UN specialized agency for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO), whose Constitution famously states that “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”.
UNESCO’s Constitution stresses the need for information and communication within and between nations. It links the free flow of ideas to the broader objective of preventing wars and constructing the defences of peace by promoting greater mutual knowledge and understanding between peoples. UNESCO is firm in its commitment to “the free exchange of ideas and knowledge” as a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of any democratic society. It is a basic human right, to be enjoyed by all peoples, regardless of cultural, religious, ethnic or other backgrounds.
The theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Celebrations -“Support to media in conflict areas and in transition countries” - is timely and well-chosen as the world continues to witness conflicts where the media are a target in a number of ways. The media have been used as a tool for propaganda, though violations of freedom of expression and press freedom also occur in the name of putting an end to overt propaganda. The media have come under attack from military operations and, most gravely and sadly, journalists have been captured, injured or killed. All of these examples represent efforts to stifle the free flow of information. It is of utmost importance that violations of any human right, such as freedom of expression, are adequately addressed.
Freedom of expression and press freedom must be recognized as closely linked not only to key issues of development and democratization but also to conflict resolution and peace-building. In countries where press freedom is the exception rather than the rule, stagnation and conflict also tend to prevail. Violent and armed conflict is not conducive to openness and transparency; media freedom is often a casualty of war and the constraints and distortions do not always end with the cessation of hostilities. But a civilian population with access to information and communication channels is vital for combating impunity, for drawing attention to human rights abuses and for restoring respect for international laws.
It can never be stressed enough that freedom of expression and freedom of the press are prerequisites for the participation of citizens in the democratic life of their societies, for social and economic development and for the achievement of peace. It is increasingly clear that the implementation of these principles is also essential for cultivating the intercultural understanding upon which lasting peace, security and development can be built. In this perspective, the work that has taken place here in the Sava Centre during the last two days is highly important and I am very interested to see the results.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The award of the World Press Freedom Prize has become an integral part of the annual celebrations of World Press Freedom Day. It is one of the ways in which UNESCO expresses its determined commitment to freedom of speech and to those who suffer from repression and persecution in the exercise of their profession as journalists.
Furthermore, the award of the World Press Freedom Prize is a way to broaden public awareness of the values of freedom of expression and press freedom. It is a way to draw public attention to the essential role that press freedom plays in a healthy and functioning democratic society.
Created in 1997 by UNESCO’s Executive Board, the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize recalls and honours the Columbian journalist and editor Guillermo Cano, who was assassinated in the course of exercising his profession. We should pay particular tribute to his memory and make sure that his ideals of a free press and freedom of expression live on. Today, the World Press Freedom Prize is a way to honour journalists who, like Guillermo Cano, have particularly distinguished themselves in upholding the ideals of a free press in their professional practice.
On the recommendation of the jury, composed of distinguished and independent media professionals from all around the world and headed by Mr Oliver Clarke, I have the honour to award this year’s prize to Mr Raúl Rivero. Mr Rivero is a prominent journalist and poet. After studying at the Havana Faculty of Journalism, Mr Rivero served as a correspondent for the Prensa Latina state news agency in Moscow from 1973 to 1976. He then returned to Cuba and headed the science and culture service of the news agency. In 1989, he resigned from the National Union of Cuban Writers and Artists and, in 1995, he founded the Cuba Press independent news agency. In 2001, he was among the founders of the first independent association of journalists in Cuba. In April 2003, Mr Rivero was given a 20-year prison sentence after being accused of acts against the independence or territorial integrity of the State.
On behalf of UNESCO and in my own name, I would like to congratulate Mr Rivero for this great distinction. His courage is an example to all who are committed to freedom of expression. Unfortunately, he is unable to receive this award in person. I had hoped that I would be able to deliver this award into the hands of his wife, Mrs Blanca Reyes Castañón, but regretfully, despite our best efforts, we have been unable to secure the approval of the Cuban authorities to allow her to travel and attend this ceremony. At Headquarters and through our office in Havana, we have been in frequent contact with Mrs Reyes with a view to facilitate her attendance here and to check on Mr Rivero’s health situation. As you may know, he has been suffering from pneumonia. He has been receiving medical treatment, which we are informed will finish on 4th May. Our best wishes go to Mr Rivero for a full and speedy recovery.
Thankfully, a message from Mr Rivero to myself and the jury is being borne by Mr Miguel Sanchez, the son of Mrs Reyes, who has come from his home in the United States to be with us today. It gives me great pleasure to deliver the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize for 2004 into the hands of Mr Sanchez, who is representing Mr Rivero at this ceremony. The World Press Freedom Prize 2004 consists of a cheque of US$ 25,000, of which US$ 12,500 are given by the Cano Foundation. I call on the Cuban authorities to free Mr Rivero.
Before concluding I would like us to remember the fate of the 2001 World Press Freedom Prize winner, Mr U Win Tin, who is still being held in a prison hospital. I would like to voice my concern over the imprisonment in appalling conditions of Mr U Win Tin, the former editor of the daily newspaper Hanthawati. I call once again upon the Myanmar government to demonstrate compassion by releasing him.
Thank you.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to convey my warm greetings to all those who have come here for the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day 2004. I would like particularly to express my gratitude to President Marovic for his gracious hospitality and to the Serbian-Montenegrin Authorities for their offer to host this event on the occasion of this important celebration.
World Press Freedom Day is the day on which we commemorate Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the right of freedom of expression. The creation of the United Nations system itself was aimed at establishing the conditions under which peace may flourish, on the basis of universally shared values. The UN mandate to take the lead in assisting the media was given to the UN specialized agency for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO), whose Constitution famously states that “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”.
UNESCO’s Constitution stresses the need for information and communication within and between nations. It links the free flow of ideas to the broader objective of preventing wars and constructing the defences of peace by promoting greater mutual knowledge and understanding between peoples. UNESCO is firm in its commitment to “the free exchange of ideas and knowledge” as a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of any democratic society. It is a basic human right, to be enjoyed by all peoples, regardless of cultural, religious, ethnic or other backgrounds.
The theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Celebrations -“Support to media in conflict areas and in transition countries” - is timely and well-chosen as the world continues to witness conflicts where the media are a target in a number of ways. The media have been used as a tool for propaganda, though violations of freedom of expression and press freedom also occur in the name of putting an end to overt propaganda. The media have come under attack from military operations and, most gravely and sadly, journalists have been captured, injured or killed. All of these examples represent efforts to stifle the free flow of information. It is of utmost importance that violations of any human right, such as freedom of expression, are adequately addressed.
Freedom of expression and press freedom must be recognized as closely linked not only to key issues of development and democratization but also to conflict resolution and peace-building. In countries where press freedom is the exception rather than the rule, stagnation and conflict also tend to prevail. Violent and armed conflict is not conducive to openness and transparency; media freedom is often a casualty of war and the constraints and distortions do not always end with the cessation of hostilities. But a civilian population with access to information and communication channels is vital for combating impunity, for drawing attention to human rights abuses and for restoring respect for international laws.
It can never be stressed enough that freedom of expression and freedom of the press are prerequisites for the participation of citizens in the democratic life of their societies, for social and economic development and for the achievement of peace. It is increasingly clear that the implementation of these principles is also essential for cultivating the intercultural understanding upon which lasting peace, security and development can be built. In this perspective, the work that has taken place here in the Sava Centre during the last two days is highly important and I am very interested to see the results.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The award of the World Press Freedom Prize has become an integral part of the annual celebrations of World Press Freedom Day. It is one of the ways in which UNESCO expresses its determined commitment to freedom of speech and to those who suffer from repression and persecution in the exercise of their profession as journalists.
Furthermore, the award of the World Press Freedom Prize is a way to broaden public awareness of the values of freedom of expression and press freedom. It is a way to draw public attention to the essential role that press freedom plays in a healthy and functioning democratic society.
Created in 1997 by UNESCO’s Executive Board, the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize recalls and honours the Columbian journalist and editor Guillermo Cano, who was assassinated in the course of exercising his profession. We should pay particular tribute to his memory and make sure that his ideals of a free press and freedom of expression live on. Today, the World Press Freedom Prize is a way to honour journalists who, like Guillermo Cano, have particularly distinguished themselves in upholding the ideals of a free press in their professional practice.
On the recommendation of the jury, composed of distinguished and independent media professionals from all around the world and headed by Mr Oliver Clarke, I have the honour to award this year’s prize to Mr Raúl Rivero. Mr Rivero is a prominent journalist and poet. After studying at the Havana Faculty of Journalism, Mr Rivero served as a correspondent for the Prensa Latina state news agency in Moscow from 1973 to 1976. He then returned to Cuba and headed the science and culture service of the news agency. In 1989, he resigned from the National Union of Cuban Writers and Artists and, in 1995, he founded the Cuba Press independent news agency. In 2001, he was among the founders of the first independent association of journalists in Cuba. In April 2003, Mr Rivero was given a 20-year prison sentence after being accused of acts against the independence or territorial integrity of the State.
On behalf of UNESCO and in my own name, I would like to congratulate Mr Rivero for this great distinction. His courage is an example to all who are committed to freedom of expression. Unfortunately, he is unable to receive this award in person. I had hoped that I would be able to deliver this award into the hands of his wife, Mrs Blanca Reyes Castañón, but regretfully, despite our best efforts, we have been unable to secure the approval of the Cuban authorities to allow her to travel and attend this ceremony. At Headquarters and through our office in Havana, we have been in frequent contact with Mrs Reyes with a view to facilitate her attendance here and to check on Mr Rivero’s health situation. As you may know, he has been suffering from pneumonia. He has been receiving medical treatment, which we are informed will finish on 4th May. Our best wishes go to Mr Rivero for a full and speedy recovery.
Thankfully, a message from Mr Rivero to myself and the jury is being borne by Mr Miguel Sanchez, the son of Mrs Reyes, who has come from his home in the United States to be with us today. It gives me great pleasure to deliver the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize for 2004 into the hands of Mr Sanchez, who is representing Mr Rivero at this ceremony. The World Press Freedom Prize 2004 consists of a cheque of US$ 25,000, of which US$ 12,500 are given by the Cano Foundation. I call on the Cuban authorities to free Mr Rivero.
Before concluding I would like us to remember the fate of the 2001 World Press Freedom Prize winner, Mr U Win Tin, who is still being held in a prison hospital. I would like to voice my concern over the imprisonment in appalling conditions of Mr U Win Tin, the former editor of the daily newspaper Hanthawati. I call once again upon the Myanmar government to demonstrate compassion by releasing him.
Thank you.
