“Even after three decades since the collapse of communism, Albania and Kosovo remain ‘problematic countries’ regarding press freedom, because…” / Reflections of the renowned journalist, Director of the ‘Voice of America’ for Euro-Asia.

                 THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY:

                         JOURNALISM IS NOT A CRIME!

“A nation of sheep will soon have a government of wolves”

Memorie.al / May 3, 2023, mark the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day. On this occasion, the United Nations (UN), through UNESCO, is organizing various activities to mark this day and the importance of press freedom as one of the fundamental freedoms that ensures other basic human rights, guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In a UN statement released for the occasion, it is noted that since 1993, when World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed, significant progress has been made toward press freedom and freedom of expression worldwide. “However, freedom of speech, the safety of journalists in performing their duties, and freedom of expression in general are increasingly under attack, which severely impacts other human rights,” the UN states.

According to the world organization, “The right to freedom of expression, preserved and protected as something sacred by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is a prerequisite and a driving force for the implementation of all other basic human rights. Therefore, World Press Freedom Day is a call for a renewed dedication to press freedom, but also a serious commitment to independent, pluralistic, and diverse media,” the UN statement continues, supporting press freedom as a right that is simultaneously the cornerstone of all other basic human freedoms.

The right to freedom of expression is a prerequisite and the cornerstone of all other human rights

Meanwhile, the White House, on behalf of the President of the United States, Joe Biden, in a statement marking World Press Freedom Day, emphasizes that: “Journalism is not a crime – it is a fundamental right in a free society.” Furthermore, the statement expresses the President’s respect for all journalists, reporters, and media workers who bravely strive to uncover the truth. “No journalist – whether American or otherwise – should have to risk their life or livelihood while working to uncover the truth,” the White House statement reads.

“Today and every day, we must stand with journalists around the world to protect their freedom of action and their basic rights. We must speak out forcefully against all those who seek to silence journalists. And all of us must continue to support press freedom, which is the cornerstone of our democracy and of other democracies worldwide,” concludes the White House statement.

While these declarations in defense of press freedom from the UN, the White House, and various states – large and small – are commendable as they declare themselves defenders of journalists for at least one day, reality tells a different story.

We all know that the state of press freedom worldwide is in decline. The rights of journalists are being restricted and threatened globally, including in Albania and Kosovo, whether by state institutions or by corrupt and criminal interest groups linked to government entities. This grave situation has led American and international non-governmental organizations to express doubts about whether world political leaders and international organizations like the UN are truly serious in their declarations.

Freedom House, a U.S. entity dedicated to protecting basic human rights, organized an online discussion titled with a question: ‘World Press Freedom Day’: A Futile Celebration? Freedom House states that “even though Western countries and other democratic states have declared their commitment to media freedom and access to information, powerful voices within some supposedly democratic societies continue to slander and sow distrust in the media.”

Meanwhile, authoritarian governments that do not believe in the benefits a well-informed citizenry brings to society often persecute, imprison, and even kill journalists who report the truth. On World Press Freedom Day 2023, we ask what is happening to press freedom as a fundamental human right. Is there much reason to celebrate this year?

I tend to trust non-governmental sources regarding the state of press freedom in our countries – Albania and Kosovo – in which we are specifically interested for natural reasons, but also regarding the state of human rights in the world in general. Another organization dedicated to the protection of journalists’ rights, Reporters without Borders (RSF), based in Paris, reports in its 30th-anniversary report that the state of press freedom has significantly deteriorated worldwide, including in Albania and Kosovo.

Unfortunately, according to Reporters without Borders, Albania has suffered a major deterioration in press freedom compared to other countries in the Western Balkans, ranking 96th. While Kosovo saw a small improvement of 5 points, moving from 61st to 56th, both Albanian states are unfortunately ranked on the list of “problematic countries” regarding press freedom.

Although freedom of speech and the press are generally considered the cornerstone of all other basic human freedoms, given that Albania and Kosovo are still considered “problematic,” it is no wonder why these two countries – three decades after the collapse of communism – are still considered “partly free” by international human rights organizations.

This is the concerning assessment of international organizations on the state of press freedom and basic human rights for Albanians in the Western Balkans. It is an assessment that should worry Albanians everywhere – all those interested in democratic developments and basic human freedoms across Albanian lands.

Otherwise, as the renowned former American journalist Edward R. Murrow once said regarding the lack of press freedom: “A nation of sheep will soon have a government of wolves,” if press freedom, as the cornerstone of all other freedoms, is not protected from the predators of power./Memorie.al