"Dear representatives of the media community, I
congratulate you on the occasion of this professional holiday, World Press
Freedom Day.
This day is another opportunity to talk about your
complex and responsible work, to emphasize the importance of your work.
Mass media have a key role in the establishment of a
democratic state guided by the values of the rule of law. In the 2023 annual
report of the activities of the Human Rights Defender, I specially emphasized
the importance of the unhindered activities of the representatives of the media
community, which is evidenced by the active cooperation of the Human Rights
Defender with mass media and journalists.
I have to record that some challenges in the field of
press freedom in our country are still relevant. The presence of individual
cases of targeting journalists and obstructing their professional activities is
problematic. In this regard, it is important to take such steps in the
direction of guaranteeing the freedom of the press, which will ensure the existence
of a completely favorable environment for normal media activities and the
safety of journalists.
I would like to emphasize that any case of obstructing
the legitimate professional activity of journalists is unacceptable and highly
worrying. It is important for the state to develop and implement such
structures that guarantee the existence of a completely favorable environment
for normal media activities and the safety of journalists. In addition, the
mentioned structures should be aimed not only at not hindering the legitimate
activity of journalists, but also at preventing such obstacles, in case of
their existence, to eliminate them, to carry out an effective investigation in
relation to the cases, including guaranteeing the inevitability of responsibility.
It is no less important to carry out professional media
activity exclusively in the context of the observance of the rules of ethics,
the principles of "responsible journalism" and the exclusion of hate
speech as a result of the activities of journalists.
As the Human Rights Defender, I am ready to do my best
within the scope of my mandate to protect your free and unhindered work.
Congratulating you once again on the occasion of this
holiday, I wish you productive and creative work."
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