Good Journalism is Vaccine to False Information
We hope governments recognise and respect the tremendous effort by media professionals to disseminate information to the masses. #FijiNews #PacNews, #MediaFreedom #WPFD21 #WorldPressFreedomDay21 #Media, #FijiMedia #PacificMedia
Source: Pacific Freedom Forum
May 3, 2021, -Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS – Today, the Pacific Freedom Forum stands with our media colleagues around the world and more specifically in the Pacific to celebrate World Press Freedom Day.
Today, more than ever, we hope governments recognise and respect the tremendous effort by media professionals to disseminate information to the masses.
In the midst of a global pandemic, the role of the press has been crucial to the flow of Covid related information to our pacific people, by tackling misinformation and other harmful content.
“The Pandemic has shown them (governments) that the media is not their enemy. We need to work together in the fight against ignorance, hate speech and Covid,” states PFF Chair, Bernadette Carreon.
The press has a role to play and must be allowed to do their work safely without gags or threats so that people get the information they need to make the best decisions otherwise fear-mongering, lies, and misinformation will spread.
“Not only do we want to remind governments of their duty to impart information and not hinder the public’s access to information, it’s just as important that we women and men of the media do our part to disseminate information without fear or favour, and without affiliation or interests to the subjects we report on.
Let us be responsible and ethical in carrying out our duties as journalists.” adds PFF co-chair, Monica Miller from Samoa.
The theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, “Information as a Public Good”, speaks to the indisputable importance of verified and reliable information.
