Liberal statement on World Press Freedom Day

May 3, 2014

MONTRÉAL – Liberal Canadian Heritage Critic, Stéphane Dion, today issued the following statement on World Press Freedom Day:

“World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity to honour the vital role played by the independent press in fostering democracy around the world.

“Journalistic freedom helps to ensure accountability, transparency, and openness in government; it is at the core of all healthy and vibrant democracies.

“Here in Canada, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees our freedom of opinion and expression, including freedom of the press. We must never take this freedom for granted and must strive to respect and maintain journalistic freedom both at home and abroad.

“Censorship, harassment, attacks, and arrests are experienced all too often by journalists in the exercise of their profession. Canada must work to promote freedom of the press and fight to end such occurrences around the world.

“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary Caucus, I would like to pause in remembrance of all those journalists who have lost their lives in the pursuit of truth. Journalists must be able to report freely without fear of repercussions and we must do all we can to support them in their pursuits.”