(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) NEW YORK, May 3 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday he was "shocked and appalled by the high number of journalists killed in Israeli military operations in Gaza Strip."
In a message marking World Press Freedom Day he said, "The world is going through an unprecedented environmental emergency which poses an existential threat to this and future generations."
"People need to know about this - and journalists and media workers have a key role in informing and educating them.
"Local, national and global media outlets can highlight stories about the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice.
"Through their work, people come to understand the plight of our planet, and are mobilized and empowered to take action for change," the Secretary-General pointed out.
"Media workers also document environmental degradation. And they provide evidence of environmental vandalism that helps to hold those responsible to account.
"It is no surprise that some powerful people, companies and institutions will stop at nothing to prevent environmental journalists from doing their jobs.
"Media freedom is under siege. And environmental journalism is an increasingly dangerous profession --," he regretted.
"UNESCO reports that in the past fifteen years, there have been some 750 attacks on journalists and news outlets reporting on environmental issues. And the frequency of such attacks is rising --.
"Around the world, media workers are risking their lives trying to bring us news on everything from war to democracy --," he said, referring to the media people who sacrificed themselves to expose the Israeli crimes in Gaza Strip.
"The United Nations recognizes the invaluable work of journalists and media professionals to ensure that the public is informed and engaged.
"Without facts, we cannot fight mis- and disinformation. Without accountability, we will not have strong policies in place.
"Without press freedom, we won't have any freedom," the Secretary-General stressed, adding, "A free press is not a choice, but a necessity."
"Our World Press Freedom Day is very important. And so, I call on governments, the private sector and civil society to join us in reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding press freedom and the rights of journalists and media professionals around the world," he concluded. (end)
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