European Union (EU) Ambassador Rune Skinnebach says journalists must follow corruption cases and public-funded projects to their logical conclusion to ably fulfil their role as the Fourth Estate.

The EU envoy said this in a statement yesterday ahead of World Press Freedom Day today.

Skinnebach: See matters to
their conclusion

He urged journalists to remain vigilant in their work.

“I urge journalists to ensure that they see matters to their conclusion by asking hard-nosed questions by demanding clarification, transparency and accountability on corruption cases and public funded projects,” said Skinnebach.

He said journalists have a responsibility to make sure the public has access to accurate information, safeguarding democracy and promoting accountability; hence, their role cannot be overestimated.

The statement also quoted EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell as having said female journalists remain vulnerable to threats and increasing attacks, both online and offline.

He cites instances of stigmatisation, sexist hate, gender-based violence and murder as some of the attacks that female journalists face.

Borrell said: “Seventy-three [73] percent of women journalists have experienced online threats, abuse and harassment in the course of their work. We have never seen as many women journalists in detention as today.”

While condemning such threats, he said the EU remains a strong defender of media freedom and that they continue to support the media through various programmes.

Among the programmes, Borrell cited the Safe Journalists Platform in the Western Balkans, the Support to Independent Media and Fundamental Freedoms project in Cambodia and Media Resilience programme in Afghanistan.

“In parallel, the EU is taking action within the Union: countering Strategic lawsuits against public participation, regulating digital services and markets, and proposing an EU Media Freedom Act,” he added.

Borrell further said the EU will remain committed to engage with governments, the media and civil society, both in international fora as well as at the local level, to take initiative and strengthen press freedom around the world.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 3 as World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness on the importance of a free press and remind governments of their role in providing a conducive work environment for the media.

In Malawi, celebrations will reach a climax on Saturday, May 7 in Lilongwe when journalists will hold a solidarity march and later an award gala.

The theme for World Press Freedom Day 2023 is ‘Shaping a future of rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights’. Meanwhile, President Lazarus Chakwera is today set to host journalists to a breakfast in Lilongwe as part of the celebrations.

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