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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
May 3, 1999

U.S. Commemorates World Press Freedom Day

Today, as we mark World Press Freedom Day, the United States applauds the work of journalists around the world and recognizes those who daily risk their freedom and often their lives to report the story. Throughout the world, journalists risk harassment, arrest, imprisonment and even death to get the story told. It is hardly surprising that homicide is the leading cause of death on the job among journalists worldwide.

In particular, we note the continued dangerous environment the government of Serbia has created in its attempts to silence objective and independent voices within its borders. The murder a little over two weeks ago of Slavko Curuvija, a prominent and courageous independent voice in Serbia, is only the most recent example of this campaign. Dozens of Kosovar Albanian journalists have had to flee their homes or go into hiding. The Belgrade regime clearly intends to silence all independent voices, deny its citizens access to objective information, and violate international standards of press freedom.

Sadly, the independent press in Serbia are not alone. According to the most recent report by the independent non-governmental organization Committee to Protect Journalists, twenty-four journalists were killed worldwide in 1998 because of their work, and another twelve were murdered in suspicious circumstances. Of these, the Committee to Protect Journalists report states that fully one-fourth-nine of thirty-six cases--took place in Colombia. Numerous other journalists have been imprisoned.

The United States calls on all governments to respect freedom of the press as a fundamental and universal human right. We strongly urge them to release immediately those held for the peaceful expression of their beliefs.

Democracy depends not just on unfettered minds, but also on an informed electorate. Only free media - whether print, broadcast, or electronic - can guarantee that citizens have access to the information they need to make political decisions. If a government can control information or limit press freedom, it can usually preordain elections, stunt civil society and manipulate the judiciary.

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