Celebrating World Press Freedom Day 2017: Critical Minds for Critical Times
2017/05/05
Almost 20 years ago the United Nations General Assembly declared May 3rd to be World Press Freedom Day. Their goal was to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments worldwide of
their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression. Fast forward to 2017 when fake news seems to rule; press freedom is more important than ever. It is both essential to democracy and a fundamental human right in a just, peaceful and inclusive society.
Those ideas were highlighted at Globe International Center’s 2017 World Press Freedom Day. The event brought together more than 80 stakeholders from Ulaanbaatar’s media, embassies and international organizations. Parliament, government agencies, lawyers, academics and civil society were also represented. The aim of the day was to assess the state of press freedom and discuss solutions to challenges, under this year’s theme:Critical Minds for Critical Times.
In her opening address, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Beate Trankmann explained that World Press Freedom Day is a time to reaffirm the importance of a vital, free and independent media. She noted that in the 2016 World Press Freedom Index, Mongolia had slipped nine places: “The lack of transparency and independence in ownership risks limiting the ability of media to report impartially.”Ms. Trankmann stressed that concerns over media self-censorship in Mongolia are growing and pointed out that when proposing any changes to media laws or policies, media should be consulted as a central stakeholder.
Secretary General of UNESCO’s National Commission, Ms.Sukhbaatar Uyanga, announced that UNESCO’s WPFD had been celebrated since 1998: “Today we celebrate the fundamental principles of freedom of expression, justice for all, rule of law and peaceful relations. The demand for free, independent and pluralistic media is growing more than ever.”
Ms.Uyanga shared the words of Gao Yu, the first journalist to ever receive the UNESCO/Guillermo Kano World Press Freedom Prize: “A pen is a powerful tool. With a pen, a computer or a mobile phone, a journalist can fight for justice, human rights and peace.”
Member of Parliament Mr. Luvsanvandan Bold pointed out that press freedom plays an important role in good governance and in meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030. He highlighted that in the last few years there have been many initiatives to advance media freedom, but more needs to be done. He concluded that the draft law he devised on whistleblower protection is ‘essential for ensuring the rights to information, media freedom and freedom of expression’.
President and CEO of Globe International Center, Ms. Khashkhuu Naranjargal, explained that global media had struggled through a difficult period in 2016, with accusations of ‘fake news’ and the dissemination of misinformation.
“Journalism became the target of political propaganda last year with the Brexit process and the election of Donald Trump. Both eventscreated a situation of mistrust of the press. Press freedom came under attack — populism, racism and hate speech; promotion of inequality and inequity. They have all become a threat to balanced media,” she continued.
Ms. Naranjargal called on media professionals to support effective self-regulation and stand together to gain public trust: “Mongolia has its own share of problems. Misinformation is interpreted as libel and insult by the political elite and hotly debated during discussions on Criminal Law and the Law on Administrative Measures in Parliament. Politicians say it’s the fault of journalists who shouldn’t be circulating negative information. Unfortunately politicians forget that they own these media outlets.”
Globe International Center first launched its Media Freedom Award in 2009. The first winners were eight journalists and reporters who were attacked and injured during coverage of the post-election riot on July 1st, 2008. Since then, GIC’s Media Freedom Award is presented annually to journalists and media professionals who contribute to advancing media freedom, serve public interest and face pressure, intimidation and legal proceedings in the line of duty.
The 2017 Media Freedom Award “For the Truth!” was presented to journalist and executive producer of Mongol TV, Mr. Lkhagva Erdene. The prize was awarded for his work on Panama Papers data with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, to break the story of the involvement of Mongolian politicians.
GIC’s Program Coordinator Ms.Tumurbaatar Ayushjav, introduced an analysis of violations of journalistic professional rights and criminal defamation cases heard by courtsin 2016. Since 2005 a total of 519 freedoms of expression violations were registered. Last year alone, 63 violations affected the professional work of 61 journalists and media outlets.
Ms. Ayushjav explained: “If any right is violated, it affects other rights and this has led to Mongolian journalists becoming highly self-censoring. They fearreprisal, attack and assault. Bearing this in mind, we were not able to include all cases in this year’s report. It’s interesting to note that due to technological development, violations against traditional media have decreased and those targeting online have doubled from 25.7% in 2015 to 52.5% in 2016. Politicians, high-ranking public officials and public bodies made up 56% of plaintiffs in criminal cases and 34% in civil cases.”
This year the Media Freedom Report 2016 was launched with the support of UNESCO Beijing Office. The document informs on the legal development, civil and criminal defamation cases against media and journalists and other breaches of journalists’ professional rights. It is aimed at providing an overview of media freedom in Mongolia by analyzing the media environment for local journalists and challenges they face.
In 2016, Mongolia dropped nine points to hold 69th place out of 180 world countries. According to Freedom House,It remains a country with notable problems and has only partial press freedom.
The 2016 Media Freedom Report is available
in English here:
https://www.gic.mn/images/upld/Media_freedom_report_2016eng.pdf
in Mongolian:
https://www.gic.mn/images/upld/Mediafreedomreport2016mon.pdf
World Press Freedom Day 2017 was held in cooperation with the Mongolian Open Society Forum and the Confederation of Mongolian Journalists (CMJ) with the support of UNESCO Beijing Office.
Those ideas were highlighted at Globe International Center’s 2017 World Press Freedom Day. The event brought together more than 80 stakeholders from Ulaanbaatar’s media, embassies and international organizations. Parliament, government agencies, lawyers, academics and civil society were also represented. The aim of the day was to assess the state of press freedom and discuss solutions to challenges, under this year’s theme:Critical Minds for Critical Times.
In her opening address, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Beate Trankmann explained that World Press Freedom Day is a time to reaffirm the importance of a vital, free and independent media. She noted that in the 2016 World Press Freedom Index, Mongolia had slipped nine places: “The lack of transparency and independence in ownership risks limiting the ability of media to report impartially.”Ms. Trankmann stressed that concerns over media self-censorship in Mongolia are growing and pointed out that when proposing any changes to media laws or policies, media should be consulted as a central stakeholder.
Secretary General of UNESCO’s National Commission, Ms.Sukhbaatar Uyanga, announced that UNESCO’s WPFD had been celebrated since 1998: “Today we celebrate the fundamental principles of freedom of expression, justice for all, rule of law and peaceful relations. The demand for free, independent and pluralistic media is growing more than ever.”
Ms.Uyanga shared the words of Gao Yu, the first journalist to ever receive the UNESCO/Guillermo Kano World Press Freedom Prize: “A pen is a powerful tool. With a pen, a computer or a mobile phone, a journalist can fight for justice, human rights and peace.”
Member of Parliament Mr. Luvsanvandan Bold pointed out that press freedom plays an important role in good governance and in meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030. He highlighted that in the last few years there have been many initiatives to advance media freedom, but more needs to be done. He concluded that the draft law he devised on whistleblower protection is ‘essential for ensuring the rights to information, media freedom and freedom of expression’.
President and CEO of Globe International Center, Ms. Khashkhuu Naranjargal, explained that global media had struggled through a difficult period in 2016, with accusations of ‘fake news’ and the dissemination of misinformation.
“Journalism became the target of political propaganda last year with the Brexit process and the election of Donald Trump. Both eventscreated a situation of mistrust of the press. Press freedom came under attack — populism, racism and hate speech; promotion of inequality and inequity. They have all become a threat to balanced media,” she continued.
Ms. Naranjargal called on media professionals to support effective self-regulation and stand together to gain public trust: “Mongolia has its own share of problems. Misinformation is interpreted as libel and insult by the political elite and hotly debated during discussions on Criminal Law and the Law on Administrative Measures in Parliament. Politicians say it’s the fault of journalists who shouldn’t be circulating negative information. Unfortunately politicians forget that they own these media outlets.”
Globe International Center first launched its Media Freedom Award in 2009. The first winners were eight journalists and reporters who were attacked and injured during coverage of the post-election riot on July 1st, 2008. Since then, GIC’s Media Freedom Award is presented annually to journalists and media professionals who contribute to advancing media freedom, serve public interest and face pressure, intimidation and legal proceedings in the line of duty.
The 2017 Media Freedom Award “For the Truth!” was presented to journalist and executive producer of Mongol TV, Mr. Lkhagva Erdene. The prize was awarded for his work on Panama Papers data with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, to break the story of the involvement of Mongolian politicians.
GIC’s Program Coordinator Ms.Tumurbaatar Ayushjav, introduced an analysis of violations of journalistic professional rights and criminal defamation cases heard by courtsin 2016. Since 2005 a total of 519 freedoms of expression violations were registered. Last year alone, 63 violations affected the professional work of 61 journalists and media outlets.
Ms. Ayushjav explained: “If any right is violated, it affects other rights and this has led to Mongolian journalists becoming highly self-censoring. They fearreprisal, attack and assault. Bearing this in mind, we were not able to include all cases in this year’s report. It’s interesting to note that due to technological development, violations against traditional media have decreased and those targeting online have doubled from 25.7% in 2015 to 52.5% in 2016. Politicians, high-ranking public officials and public bodies made up 56% of plaintiffs in criminal cases and 34% in civil cases.”
This year the Media Freedom Report 2016 was launched with the support of UNESCO Beijing Office. The document informs on the legal development, civil and criminal defamation cases against media and journalists and other breaches of journalists’ professional rights. It is aimed at providing an overview of media freedom in Mongolia by analyzing the media environment for local journalists and challenges they face.
In 2016, Mongolia dropped nine points to hold 69th place out of 180 world countries. According to Freedom House,It remains a country with notable problems and has only partial press freedom.
The 2016 Media Freedom Report is available
in English here:
https://www.gic.mn/images/upld/Media_freedom_report_2016eng.pdf
in Mongolian:
https://www.gic.mn/images/upld/Mediafreedomreport2016mon.pdf
World Press Freedom Day 2017 was held in cooperation with the Mongolian Open Society Forum and the Confederation of Mongolian Journalists (CMJ) with the support of UNESCO Beijing Office.