Media urged to stand up for freedom of expression

More than 2,000 media practitioners and networks from over 100 countries have attended the Global Media Forum, a three-day event hosted by Germany’s Deutsche Welle.

The forum, entitled “Media. Freedom. Value”, aims to explore the current media landscape and relevant values, such as human rights and democracy, which are intertwined with media values. It also seeks to provide an update on the media amid increasing challenges, from infringement on press freedom, to the rise of digital technology.

During the opening, Michael Roth, Minister for the State of Europe, said the media has an important task to perform, especially in Europe, where polarisation has increased more than ever, while liberal democracy has become very defensive.

However, freedom of expression and press freedom, seen as fundamental to the health of democracy, has faced a downward trend, he said, as shown by the latest report by the World Press Index launched by Reporters Without Borders this year.

The press freedom index had fallen by 14 per cent since 2013, in comparison to surveys in previous years, he said, and a number of factors such as stricter media regulations had contributed to this. 

Roth, from Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, called on the public and members of the media to stand up and help strengthen these values, including human rights, rules of law, equality, as well as democracy itself.

Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, Vice-President of the European Parliament, shared Roth’s views. He said the media community has been facing challenges worldwide.

Firstly, the media in some places has faced authoritarian governments which put the media in a tough position to report less news, but propaganda. Further, press freedom has been facing a number of threats, and in a number of countries that meant government pressure and threats against journalists themselves. Lastly, he said, there was a problem concerning public distrust about traditional media.

Lambsdorff called on people to help lift up freedom and liberty amid secularity so that diversity of society and culture can be promoted and valued.

Franz-Josef Lersch-Mense, Minister for Federal Affairs, Europe and the media in the Federal State North Rhine-Westphalia, said freedom of expression and press freedom, plus human rights were the cornerstones of any democratic society. However, these rights were not sufficiently valued at present, as they are curtailed to some extent by media related laws in many places, even in some EU countries. 

“Freedom of speech, as well as freedom of the press, are fundamental rights. They cannot be compromised or negotiated,” said the minister, while calling on people and reporters to jointly defend these rights.

Deutsche Welle director general Peter Limbourg said limits were being placed on laws protecting freedom of expression in more and more countries. Turkey, for instance, has seen members of its media labelled as supporters of a terrorist conspiracy and put in prison as a result of their work.

Limbourg stressed that only when people are able to communicate freely – with the possibility of sharing ideas and values with others, and the chance to inspire others – will there be change.

“The end of the freedom of expression is also the beginning of the end of democracy. Each and every one of us is called upon, to stand up and demand freedom of expression loud and clear,” he said.