EU in Georgia on World Press Freedom Day: access to information critically important, media role “essential”

The World Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder that press freedom and access to information are critically important. The media and journalists play an essential role, they help verify and disseminate facts, create spaces for ideas to be debated and for the voiceless to be heard, the European Union representation in Georgia said on Wednesday, in messages marking the date. 

 

It also stressed free and pluralistic press “is an integral part of the resilient democracies” and access to reliable information “is a condition for all human rights and accomplished democracy”. “Press freedom means the media can reveal injustices, hold the powerful into account and fight corruption, legal threats and abusive litigation against media are a serious threat to human rights and democracy”, the EU in Georgia noted. 

 

In his remarks on the day, prime minister Irakli Garibashvili highlighted the importance of the media and journalists “serving their profession honestly and conscientiously”. 

 

“Spreading reliable and balanced information is journalists’ responsibility to their people and country, and fulfilling it steadfastly brings about much public appreciation”, he said. 

 

The PM also noted the free press was “indicative of both the country’s level of democracy and its democratic aspirations. Our country’s media environment has changed over the years, but today we have a free, independent, and pluralistic media domain”.