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On the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, the Civic Society and Churches Joint Forum (CSCJF) is urging respective authorities to uphold the right to freedom of expression.
Organised annually since 1991, the World Press Freedom Day provides a platform of opportunities for journalists, civic society, national authorities, academics, and the broader public to ponder upon emerging challenges to press freedom and journalist’s safety and to work together on identifying solutions.
Today, the Civic Society and Churches Joint Forum joined the World in commemorating World Press Freedom Day. This year’s theme is “Information as a Public Good”.
The theme serves to confirm and affirm the importance of cherishing information as a public good and exploring what can be done in the production, distribution, and reception of content to strengthen journalism in all its forms.
“This day is meant to advocate transparency and empowerment while leaving none behind. It is meant also to raise awareness of the significance of freedom of the press and remind respective authorities to uphold the right to freedom of expression as enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Through the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRS) the government of Zimbabwe has licensed 6 campus and 6 community radio stations to date.
“In this coronavirus-infested era, the government has made a positive move to ensure accurate information gets to the rightful people timely and effectively. We continue to lobby for more attention to be given to media reforms and in particular, the government should make sure that the rights and freedoms of media personnel are guaranteed and respected,” CSCJF said in a statement.