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UN Secretary General Gives Paul Biya World Press Freedom Day Lessons!

By Eric Tataw – Wednesday May 1, 2019.

UN Secretary General Gives Paul Biya World Press Freedom Day Lessons!

Antonio Guterres, is UN Secretary General. Picture was taken when as UN High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR at a Press Conference after 66th session of Excom. 9 October 2015. UN Photo / Jean-Marc Ferré

The Secretary General of the United Nations, an intergovernmental organization tasked with maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, achieving international cooperation and harmonizing nations’ actions has issued a statement ahead of World Press Freedom Day.

António Guterres issued the statement Tuesday April 30, 2019 ahead of World Press Freedom Day to be celebrated, Friday May 3, 2019. The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 of every year to be World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty.

In his opening statements on this year’s message, the UN Scribe said “A free press is essential for peace, justice, sustainable development and human rights”, he went further that “No democracy is complete without access to transparent and reliable information. It is the cornerstone for building fair and impartial institutions, holding leaders accountable and speaking truth to power.”

His opening statements have been considered by many as a big lesson to Paul Biya, Cameroon’s 86-year-old President who has been in power since 1982. Paul Biya is one of the Presidents whose Regime has imprisoned and is still holding in detention many Journalists for doing their job.

The UN Secretary General however cautioned Journalists against reporting falsehood. “This is especially true during election seasons — the focus of this year’s World Press Freedom Day. Facts, not falsehoods, should guide people as they choose their representatives”, said António Guterres.

Going forward, he added that technology has transformed the ways in which we receive and share information, sometimes it is used to mislead public opinion or to fuel violence and hatred, furthering that civic space has been shrinking worldwide at an alarming rate.

António Guterres again said attacks against Journalist have increased, citing a UNESCO report stating that over a hundred journalist were killed in 2018 alone.

“And with anti-media rhetoric on the rise, so too are violence and harassment against journalists, including women. I am deeply troubled by the growing number of attacks and the culture of impunity. According to UNESCO, almost 100 journalists were killed in 2018. Hundreds are imprisoned.”

He also said “When media workers are targeted, societies as a whole pay a price while enjoining all “to defend the rights of journalists, whose efforts help us to build a better world for all.”

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2 comments

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Ambaman May 1, 2019 at 11:18 am

António Guterres is a fraud. I put him and the Pope in the same category. They are frauds. Yes, the Pope is a fraud.

Mr. Guterres cannot be talking about press freedom when he met with the LRC Delegation led by Dion Ngute and Ghogomu in New York and promised to use his office to counter the “Blackmail” put out by the biased media against Paul Biya. He even banned Inner City Press because the journalist kept asking questions about the Ambazonia crisis. The questions exposed Guterres’ hypocrisy.

The pope is a fraud. He had a flamboyant welcome for Paul Biya at the Vatican and even gave him the keys to the Vatican. Paul Biya’s hands were soaked in blood. This came at a time when the genocide started in Ambazonia. Compare this fraud to Pope John Paul II who led the fight that saw the demise of dictatorship in Poland. Also, the fact that the Pope is not appointing any new and young Cardinals in Africa diminishes Africa’s chances of ever having an African native as Pope. We already have a Black US President, we now need a Black Pope.

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Elder Samuel Odame(USA) May 2, 2019 at 1:23 am

Is crystal clear why the continent Africa is till struggling with all the rich natural Resources , when you have men like President Paul Biya ruling. For Christ seek does President Paul have caring heart in his body, when innocent children are killed and many go through all kinds of abuse. When he-and his gurus families having a comfortable living in Europe and USA . The whole world including UN watching without taking an action, alloweing one man with his power addiction destroying many destiny of Africa continent.. God bless leaders like President Nelson Mandela. May his soul Rest In Peace. How we pray the continent Africa will be bless with at least 10 leaders of president Mandela spirit of leadership. Is it not an honor to your name President Paul creating a peaceful democratic system in your country, if the English speaking country men want their democratic nation, if u champion this vision , posterity with never forget your name. As the saying goes good name is better than riches and power. Is a shame to other leaders including religious leaders watching all these injustices yet sacrifice boldness and conscience for the shedding of blood in the Land . If the power of Revenge belongs to almighty God , may he hear the cry of the innocent blood. God bless Africa

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