Imphal, May 02 2010: On the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day 2010, the RPF, recognising and respecting the freedom of expression, has extended its greetings and good wishes to the members of the media who are facing the brunt of present regime.

The RPF also extended its due respect to the departed media persons who faced untimely death while rendering their duties.

A statement issued by the outfit's Publicity Secretary T Leisemba said that the UN General Assembly has been observing May 3 as "World Press Freedom Day" every year since 1993 .

As per the provisions enshrined in the Universal declaration of Human Rights, the fundamental right of freedom of expression encompasses the freedom "to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers" and keeping this objective in view the event is being observed throughout the world to make everyone aware of this inalienable right.

Since the media personnel particularly the reporters were facing many obstacles in news gathering, a meeting of the United Nations convened at Windhoek in Namibia, held on May 3, 1991 made a declaration for an 'independent and pluralistic media' to protect their rights known as Windhoek Declaration since then.

"May 3, not only reminds of the violation of the right of freedom of expression but also tells us of the hardships faced by the journalists including incarceration and death in their endeavour to provide news and information to the people", the outfit noted.

Media personnel in Manipur are also facing same hardship and troubles.

Every body knows how the institution of media is intimidated, their voices are gagged, reporters beaten up and killed, media offices ransacked, vandalised.

Maltreatment and intimidation including illegal detention and threat to life have been meted out to the reporters who are working 24 hours a day by allegedly unleashing a reign of terror.

Hawkers who are distributing the newspapers are also experiencing such hardships.

A united fight is necessary to ward off such uncalled acts, the RPF asserted.

The theme of World Press Freedom Day 2010 is "Freedom of Information: the Right to Know".

The underlying idea is to highlight the importance of freedom of information as an integral part of freedom of expression and exchange of ideas to advance transparency, accountability and to fight against corruption.

The promotion of the spirit of Freedom of Information is for meaningful engagement of the people in public debates and decision making processes that impact their lives.

RPF firmly believes in the principle of the right to freedom of information of the public.

However, the media community has a greater role and responsibility to play in dissemination of information to the public.

The larger involvement of patriotic and courageous persons in the media will help a lot in realising this objective, noted the outfit.

India is one of the twelve countries identified by the Committee on Protection of Journalist (CPJ) for its notorious track records in intimidation and harassment of journalists.

In a state like Manipur, allegedly trampled and suppressed under military boots, the RPF feels the pangs and sufferings being encountered by the media community.

Lives of many journalists have been lost; and many more attempts on their lives have been made; and many have been imprisoned, underwent untold sufferings.

They suffered because they endeavoured to disseminate true information to the public, it said.

The RPF also called upon media persons to endeavour and work with dedication.

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