The German government will "always defend the freedom of the press – here in Europe and beyond Europe’s boundaries," declared federal government spokesperson Steffen Seibert in Berlin on Wednesday, the World Press Freedom Day.
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He also reminded his audience of the fate of Deniz Yücel and many other journalists who are currently imprisoned.
The freedom of the press is one of the fundamental pillars of democracy, stressed government spokesperson Steffen Seibert at the federal press conference. "Regrettably free media and courageous journalists are persecuted in so many countries around the world: they are intimidated, oppressed and forcibly prevented from doing their work." The list of murdered journalists is extremely disheartening, said Steffen Seibert.
Even in European countries unwelcome political opinions are supressed, and beyond the gates of Europe masses of journalists find themselves behind bars. Steffen Seibert pointed to all journalists currently imprisoned for doing their job. "Our thoughts are with Deniz Yücel and the many others."
"Their imprisonment is a warning to us. If we lose the freedom of the press, we also lose the freedom to form an independent opinion. And at the end of the day we lose the freedom to live as an open society."
Every year World Press Freedom Day on 3 May reminds us of the violations of the freedom of the press. The focus is on the fundamental importance of free reporting for the very existence and proper functioning of democracies. UNESCO initiated the World Press Freedom Day in 1994.
Earlier, Bärbel Kofler, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid, underlined that, "Freedom of the press is an indispensable precondition for realising human rights – if it is impossible to report human rights violations, how are we ever going to find out about them?"
Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller pointed out that the German government also endeavours to support journalists within the scope of development cooperation. "Journalists deserve enormous respect for their courageous work in the world’s crisis-affected countries." The German government promotes independent journalism around the world. One way it does so is by providing training and upgrading for journalists.
Government spokespersons field the questions of the media three times a week at the federal press conference. The press conferences are organised and chaired by journalists, which is unique in the world, and in itself "a good example of freedom of the press", pointed out government spokesperson Steffen Seibert. He declared that he always "enjoys coming to the federal press conference and does so with total conviction".