Media Freedom and Security
Good afternoon to you all. I am pleased to join my distinguished fellow panelists and take part in this important discussion. I thank the Representative of the Freedom of the Media for her kind invitation and for giving me the pleasure to speak before such a distinguished audience.
At the outset let me start by saying that the notion that there can be no true security without media freedom is fundamental to a healthy, functioning democracy.
Free media acts as a watchdog over government actions, ensuring transparency and accountability. This is fundamental to preventing abuses of power and fostering trust in public institutions.
Media provide the public with essential information on issues affecting their safety and security, from health crises to environmental hazards to challenging regional disputes and conflicts.
