We all know that in the development of any country media plays a crucial role. The media” or “the press” refers to the collective entities and individuals responsible for producing news, information, education and/or entertainment, that reach or influence people regularly through various means such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, the internet and social media.
The media can be a powerful tool for promoting accountability in relation to government actors. A free and independent media can inform and influence public opinion about government policy. It can monitor the performance of public institutions, expose misconduct and advocate for change. The media can also provide a platform for public debate and dialogue, ensuring that the voices and needs of citizens in relation to government policies and actions are heard.
The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day or just World Press Day, observed to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in Windhoek in 1991.
The day highlights three key topics:
– Ways to ensure the economic viability of news media.
– Mechanisms for making sure about the transparency of internet companies.
– To strengthen Media and Information Literacy (MIL) capacities that will help people to recognise and value journalism as an important part of information as a public good.
According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. – Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Freedom of the Press should be taken seriously as the safety of journalists while delivering information during their duties is of utmost importance. Also, freedom of speech and expression right should be respected.
In relation to overall accountability for the 2030 Agenda that provides a vision for an integrated and sustainable approach to development, the media can provide a platform to raise awareness of the SDGs and present information as to what decision-makers and government actors are, or are not, doing. It can convey messages of progress and challenges in relation to the SDGs, highlighting the human story behind the data and numbers, and increasing pressure on governments to take action to implement the SDGs.
The SDGs, and especially SDG16, provide a critical entry point through which an independent, professional, diverse and pluralist media, operating in a safe environment, can contribute to the progressive vision articulated in the 2030 Agenda.
Additionally, the principles underlying Agenda 2030, including the need for inclusive multi-stakeholder approaches; partnerships, accountability (through open monitoring and reporting) and the imperative to ‘leave no-one behind’ provide important entry points for media actors to engage with broader development interventions for enhanced impact. International actors can help promote this by supporting media development, press freedom including encouraging national media actors to engage with such processes.