World Press Freedom day marked around the globe; reporters remain targets

MASON CITY – World Press Freedom day is being observed around the globe today.

In the United States, the federal government issued a statement, saying, “On the 25th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, we renew our commitment to promoting and protecting a free press, which is an essential pillar of democracy. The United States values freedom of the press as a key component of democratic governance. By fostering a free press, citizens are more informed, active and engaged in political decision-making, and can better hold their governments accountable. Today, we honor the many journalists and media actors who have dedicated their lives, often at great risk, to promote transparency and accountability throughout the world.”

Media working in the United States have the 45th most-free press out of 180 countries, according to Reporters Without Borders. They say US press freedom, enshrined in the First Amendment to the 1787 constitution, has been under increasing attack over the past few years. As evidence, sometimes, reporters are even attacked with physical violence and police will refuse to act to protect them.

Reporters Without Borders says these unsavory attitudes and actions toward reporters have “been coupled with an increase in the number of press freedom violations at the local level as journalists run the risk of arrest for covering protests or simply attempting to ask public officials questions. Reporters have even been subject to physical assault while on the job.”

Sometimes, so-called reporters do offer fake news, and the actual talented journalists face a challenge in producing content the public can consume while ignoring the hacks that struggle to remain viable.

The BBC reports that Iraq, the Philippines and Mexico are the most dangerous counties in the world for journalists.