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2005/2006 |
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ACM CALLS ON GUYANA GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE SAFETY OF
MEDIA WORKERS
August 29, 2005 - The Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers (ACM)
notes with growing concern the
attacks on media workers in Guyana. In recent days journalists have been
assaulted in the field, gunfire
was directed at a vehicle transporting media workers and others were
assaulted and robbed at their
jobsite in the capital Georgetown.
The guarantee of free expression places a strong obligation on States to secure the safety of all media
workers within their jurisdiction, as well as providing an environment conducive to the unhindered conduct
of their work.
States are under a general duty to protect all of their citizens but the special duty in relation to journalists
is due to the fact that violence is sometimes used as a tactic to silence critical voices.
In 2000, the United Nations, the Organisation of American States and the Organisation on Security and
Cooperation in Europe adopted a Joint Declaration stating:
"Attacks such as the murder, kidnapping, harassment of and/or threats to journalists and others
exercising their right to freedom of expression, as well as the material destruction of communications
facilities, pose a very significant threat to independent and investigative journalism, to freedom of
expression and to the free flow of information to the public."
States are under an obligation to take adequate measures to end the climate of impunity and such
measures should include devoting sufficient resources and attention to preventing attacks on journalists
and others exercising their right to freedom of expression, investigating such attacks when they do occur,
bringing those responsible to justice and compensating victims."
States are under three distinct duties:
(1) Never to take part in, or to sanction or condone attacks against the media or media facilities.
(2) To take effective action to prevent violent attacks from taking place.
(3) Where violations have taken place, to investigate the attack, to bring the guilty parties to justice
and to provide an effective remedy to the victim.
In an era when Caribbean media workers are coming under increasing pressure, we urge regional
governments to continue to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to democratic traditions and
the rule of law.
Flagrant attacks on the media undermine the very freedoms we have earned and now enjoy.
They must be stopped.
The ACM encourages the media community to continue to report aggressively, accurately and fairly
on the major issues of the day including crime and corruption. We call on the government of Guyana
to do all in its power to protect media workers from acts of aggression and violent retribution from
individuals or groups implicated in their reports.
Wesley Gibbings
President
Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers
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