[CMA] World Press Freedom Day 2007

[Alan Fransman]

World Press Freedom Day 2007
03/05/2007

Every year, May 3rd is a date which marks the fundamental principles of 
press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the 
media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to 
journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their 
profession.  It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations 
of press freedom - a reminder that in dozens of countries around the 
world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, 
while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, 
detained and even murdered.

The main theme of this years World Press Freedom Day is violence against 
journalists.  The dangers of the profession have recently been brought 
to light again following the disappearance of BBC news correspondent 
Alan Johnston. Mr Johnston has been missing in Palestine since he was 
seized by gunpoint in Gaza City on the 12th March 2007.  Whilst 
Christian, Muslim and Jewish religious leaders and the UN have publicly 
called for the release of Alan, concerns for his safety remain strong. 
To date 69,000 people from around the world have now signed a petition 
to release the correspondent.

To find out more about the petition and to add your name to it visit 
www.commedia.org.uk and follow the link from the front page.


-- 
Alan Fransman
Community Media Association
15 Paternoster Row
Sheffield
S1 2BX

+44 114 279 5219

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