World Press Freedom Day

EDM number 1196 in 2016-17, proposed by Ann Clwyd on 26/04/2017.
Categorised under the topic of Press.

That this House welcomes World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2017 as an opportunity to recognise the vital role of press freedom to ensure transparency, accountability and the rule of law, and to empower people and communities; is concerned by restrictions on the press all over the world and the increase in the repression of media professionals; is particularly further concerned about the situation in Turkey where over 120 journalists and media workers are now in jail, many with no idea of the charges against them, and more than 160 media outlets have been closed; highlights the #FreeTurkeyMedia campaign to demand the release of those journalists and the cases of imprisoned investigative journalist Ahmet Sik, imprisoned newspaper editor Ahmet Altan, imprisoned journalist Kadri Gürsel and imprisoned cartoonist Musa Kart; notes that press freedom is a human right protected under international law; urges the Government of Turkey to release imprisoned media professionals and to respect, protect and ensure the right to press freedom in Turkey; and calls on the Government to mark World Press Freedom Day by promoting press freedom, freedom of expression and freedom of information throughout the world, including in Turkey, China, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran and Vietnam, where those rights are being violated or are particularly at risk.

This motion has been signed by a total of 3 MPs.