3 May World Press Freedom Day
The 26th World Press Freedom Day global celebration is taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 1-3 May 2019.
This year’s theme “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation” discusses current challenges faced by media in elections, along with the media’s potential in supporting peace and reconciliation processes.
UNESCO fosters a free, independent and pluralistic media, the safety of journalists and how we can push back against a growing climate of disinformation. On this day it confers awards on deserving organizations, individuals or institutions that have made commendable contributions in the promotion and defense of press freedom in any part of the world, specifically when the achievement is made in the face of danger. The Day celebrates the elementary principles of freedom of the press to assess the worth of press freedom worldwide and to protect media from attacks that are put on their independence. It salutes those journalists who have lost their lives in line of duty and informs the citizens about the violations of freedom of the press. In several countries, publications are fined, suspended, censored and shut down, while editors, publishers and journalists are attacked, detained, harassed and even murdered.
India
While the number of journalists being attacked on duty has been reduced, this still goes on at an alarming rate. Investigative reporting has become extremely dreadful in India where fifty-four journalists were attacked and seven lost their lives in the year of 2016-17. India is ranked 136th in the world out of the 179 listed countries to be the worst country for journalism. It is extremely vital in India to raise awareness about the essence of press freedom. Though our Indian constitution does not mention the word ‘press’ anywhere in the rights, it offers the right to freedom of speech and expression. Yet, this right is subject to certain restrictions for reasons of protecting the security, integrity and sovereignty of India. Laws like Prevention of Terrorists Act and Official Secrets Act have been utilized in order to limit the freedom of the press.
29 May International Day of UN Peacekeepers
Since the year 1948, the Security Council was set up by the United Nations and given the primary responsibility of maintenance of international peace and security. This was necessitated by the happenings of World War II where there was a colossal loss of human life, to ensure that there would be no recurrence of this. The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is a tribute to people who serve or have served in UN peacekeeping operations. The peacekeepers are honored for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage. The people who died for peace are also remembered. There have been fourteen peacekeeping missions in the world so far, out of which half have been in Africa. These missions have not all been successful. However, it would be unfair not to recognize the success stories of some of these peacekeeping missions. The missions to Cambodia, Angola and Mozambique are among the notable success stories. Also ongoing are missions in South Sudan, Central Africa Republic and Mali.
The peacekeepers are meant to use amicable and diplomatic means of maintaining peace wherever they are deployed. However, in some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security. This is more so when the lives of the peacekeepers are threatened. For the UN, the fact that most States are sovereign already limits the capacity in which they can act and the extent to which it can get involved in the matters of a State. The UN cannot overstep. Hence sometimes there is really not much help it can give. Its ‘hands’ are tied.
The peacekeepers face a lot. The first challenge is leaving the comfort and love of a home and family and going to a foreign territory where the living conditions are mostly deplorable. It takes a toll on them, and that is why, before going, there are measures taken to prepare them psychologically. In some instances, after interacting and coming into a peaceful agreement, tables turn and they face hostile attacks. The residents turn against them, forcing their use of arms to defend themselves. This sometimes ends in loss of lives and sustaining of injuries.
We salute all the peacekeepers. We are proud of them.
Sr Esme da Cunha FDCC
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