(OTTAWA) - Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP (Saanich – Gulf Islands), issued the following statement on World Press Freedom Day:
“Today we recognize the integral role of a free and independent media to the health of any society – a free press is needed to hold governments to account and to increase transparency.
“While Canada's news media suffers from an unhealthy degree of concentration of ownership, we have a right to journalistic freedom, thanks to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Unfortunately, many journalists around the world continue to face censorship and attacks on their basic human rights. Let us remember the journalists who have lost their lives and freedoms in their struggle to tell the world their stories.
“Canada must promote freedom of expression and freedom of the press both domestically and internationally. We must support the work of journalists such as Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Fahmy in Egypt, the staff of Charlie Hebdo in Paris, and countless others. Today, on World Press Freedom Day, let us recommit to the principles enshrined in our democracy and ensure no more journalists have to suffer because of their work.”
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
[email protected]