Editorial | Media freedom is even more important in the world of today

World Press Freedom Day, established by the United Nations and marked on May 3 each year, provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the important role of the media and challenges faced by journalists. This year, the raising of this issue is timely. It comes as journalists around the world face growing threats to their freedom not only to do their job but also, at times, to their liberty and their lives.

Sadly, journalists have made headlines in recent times because of actions against them. The killing of The Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last year shocked the world. In the Philippines, Maria Ressa, award-winning journalist and CEO of news website Rappler, has been arrested several times in what is widely seen as an attempt to suppress her organisation’s criticism of the government. Meanwhile, two Reuters reporters have spent 16 months behind bars in Myanmar for breaching secrecy laws. Their jailing has been condemned around the world. They were investigating killings by the country’s security forces, coverage that was recently awarded the Pulitzer Prize.

In Hong Kong, a free press is protected by the Basic Law and we have a robust and competitive media. But there is a need for vigilance. The expulsion of Financial Times correspondent Victor Mallet from the city last year raised concerns. And in the United States, President Donald Trump has contributed to the problem by branding mainstream media organisations “enemies of the people” and dismissing reports he does not like as “fake news”. Censorship and control of the media on the mainland has also been tightening.

The media have a vital role to play in an age when technological advances have made it easy to mislead, misinform and fuel hatred on social media. Responsibilities come with media freedom. It has never been more important for media organisations to pursue the truth and strive to ensure that their reporting is accurate, fair and unbiased. The highest ethical standards are required to provide the public with information they can trust. Action is being taken to regulate social media platforms. Some governments are passing laws to combat “fake news”. Moves to prevent the proliferation of hate speech, such as that associated with the appalling mass killings in Christchurch, are needed. But there is a danger this will be used by some governments as an excuse to suppress legitimate journalism or to silence critics. That must not be allowed to happen.

World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN in 1993. It followed a declaration, by journalists in Africa, of principles intended to protect media freedom, pluralism and the autonomy of journalists. Such principles have never been more important.