United Kingdom commemorates World Press Freedom Day with Honduran journalists
Today, on World Press Freedom Day the British Ambassador to Honduras, Thomas Carter, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to media freedom and protection of journalists by co-hosting an event with Peace Brigades International Honduras.
Meeting with journalists
The event brought journalists, NGOs and diplomats together for an open exchange on this important topic.
Ambassador Carter said that the aim of this event was to create a safe space to exchange concerns on media freedom, collaborate in the construction of a positive narrative on the work done by journalists, and to reduce the tendency to criminalise investigative journalists for simply doing their jobs.
During the dialogue, journalists from traditional and non-traditional media outlets and communicators were able to share their perception of the situation of journalists in Honduras; the importance of press freedom; the difficulties journalists face in their daily work, and discuss the issue of political control over the press and social media, including the challenges of fake news and the social divisionism which can result.
Ambassador Carter also announced that this year, together with Canada the United Kingdom will host an International Conference on Media Freedom from 10 to 11 July in London. There Foreign Ministers, key industry figures, academia, journalists and communicators will get together to have a better understanding and comprehension of the value of an independent press and guarantee the safety of journalists.
The United Kingdom has a strong track record of advocating and protecting press freedom. This year the UK Foreign Secretary announced an international campaign to reactivate international action on media freedom, strengthen protection for journalists and to help elevate the issue’s standing on the international foreign policy agenda.