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Media Freedom and Access to Information in Focus at the Open Government Partnership Global Summit
UNESCO's Assistant Director-General, Tawfik Jelassi and Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna, inaugurated the high level session ‘Media Freedom as a Catalyst of Open Government, Dialogue, and Accountability’. This session, supported by UNESCO and co-organised by The Media Freedom Coalition Secretariat and Open Government Partners, underlined the intertwined nature of these fundamental principles.
The summit brought together high level government representatives, including the prime ministers of Estonia and of Cabo Verde, NGOs leaders, activists and stakeholders from around the world for a two-day interactive conference.
Access to free, independent and pluralist media is essential for information as a public good. Access to information, including through the Internet, is an enabler of a broad range of human rights. These are essential pillars of a thriving democracy.
During the session, a diverse panel, including Sarah Wesonga from Article 19, Ricardo Avelar, a journalist and producer at Factum, an independent online outlet in El Salvador, Margus Tsahkna, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia and Allison Peters, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the U.S. Department of State, engaged in a compelling debate.
The session highlighted how open government reforms can empower journalists and media organizations to fulfill their essential roles. They cited numerous examples, often supported by the Global Media Defence Fund, where increased transparency and accountability measures enabled journalists to better inform the public, reflect citizens' views and concerns, and hold powerful entities accountable for their actions. They also stressed the importance of partnerships and coalitions in defending media freedom, aligning the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
Media freedom is a bedrock of democracy. When we combine forces with over 50 other governments part of the Media Freedom Coalition, we are a powerful force.
The Summit reaffirmed the commitment to championing media freedom and the universal access to information as a core tenet of open government and essential component for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
