World Press Freedom Day 2021: reliable information essential in crisis situations
- Today we mark World Press Freedom Day. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown access to accurate and comprehensive news coverage has never been more important
- Every day, journalists at the Post and other media organisations around the world work hard on the frontlines to ask the right questions and get to the truth
Dear readers,
Today we mark World Press Freedom Day. Reflecting upon almost 1½ years of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is clear that reliable information is essential in crisis situations.
It is apt that this year’s theme is “Information as a Public Good” as it draws attention to the invaluable role of journalists in producing news as verified information for the public interest. Having access to accurate and comprehensive news coverage has never been more important.
It is therefore important to understand why it is necessary to produce high-quality independent journalism – stories that we publish must be fact-checked and well-sourced because disinformation can spread as fast as the virus itself, and harm ourselves and people around us. News publications must be responsible in publishing factual stories that are objective, balanced and trustworthy.
What would happen if journalists did not do their jobs? Imagine if there were no body to exercise the freedom to inform, educate and explain issues that matter. Does it make a difference if they operate with professional ethics to report factually and seek accuracy, fairness, objectivity, impartiality and comprehensiveness?
We strive to uphold SCMP’s editorial standards to protect the integrity of our journalism. We make it a point to be transparent and share these policies to maintain trust with our readers.