Free Media Union: Journalists need to be protected; perpetrators need to be held accountable

The Free Media Union issued the following statement today to mark World Press Freedom Day, stating: "In 1993, the United Nations declared May 3rd as World Press Freedom Day. Although 32 years have now gone by, journalists continue to be murdered, detained, and tortured in the majority of the world's countries, particularly in the Middle East, with Syria witnessing serious abuses before the fall of the previous regime in late 2024, when eight journalists were murdered that year."

It also stated, "In spite of political change, journalists are still under threat in Syria. They are obstructed from covering crimes and are threatened, and the transitional government is still impeding the work of independent media institutions."

The Union commemorated the martyrdom of journalists on the eve of World Press Freedom Day and renewed support for journalists who cover the truth and fight for their rights.

The Union cited the "martyrdom of journalist Nazim Dashtan, Hawar News Agency correspondent Jihan Belkin, and journalist Agid Roj during a drone attack by the occupying Turkish state on Tishrin Dam.".

It called for international organizations to do their duty in safeguarding journalists and avoiding the repetition of such violations. It also called for all parties perpetrating crimes against media workers to be brought to justice, especially the occupying Turkish state, which has murdered 17 journalists in North and East Syria, among them journalists Nazim and Agid, and journalist Jihan.

The Union emphasized that condemnations are not sufficient; the perpetrators should be prosecuted in order to ensure the rights of journalists and safeguard press freedom worldwide.

T/S
ANHA