British High Commissioner’s Statement on World Press Freedom Day
British High Commissioner to Maldives and Sri Lanka issued the following statement to mark World Press Freedom Day, which falls on Saturday, 3 May:
World Press Freedom Day
“We are committed to peaceful, open dialogue and the free flow of information, including through a free and responsible media, and to enhancing democratic traditions and strengthening democratic processes” – the Commonwealth Charter. “Across the world, journalists face constant threats because of their work. The RSF ranked Maldives 108 on its World Press Freedom Index this year, marking a decline in press freedom in the country for the third consecutive year.We urge the recently elected government of President Yameen to ensure that journalists – including on social media – are protected in Maldives, as free expression is an essential element in any democracy.
We live in an age of widespread global change, where prosperity and human rights go hand-in-hand. Values such as democratic freedoms, the rule of law and the freedom of expression are what anchor our societies through this change. The UK firmly believes that we and our partners need to stay true to these values.
On World Press Freedom Day, we celebrate the right to freedom of expression and renew our commitment to upholding it.”