BAN KI-MOON: PEOPLE HAVE RIGHT TO INFORMATION, AND STATES HAVE DUTY TO PROVIDE IT
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 3, 2010 – 19:51 AMT 14:51 GMT
On May 3, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent a congratulatory
message on World Press Freedom Day, which reads: "This year’s theme is
freedom of information: the right to know. I welcome the global trend
towards new laws which recognize the universal right to publicly held
information. Unfortunately, these new laws do not always translate
into action. We must work to change attitudes and to raise awareness.
People have a right to information that affects their lives, and
States have a duty to provide this information."
Besides, the statement reads that the United Nations stands with
persecuted journalists and media professionals everywhere. "Today,
as every day, I call on Governments, civil society and people around
the world to recognize the important work of the media, and to stand
up for freedom of information," the Secretary-General noted.