Presidente da República, Daniel Chapo, discursa na Praça dos Heróis, por ocasião do Dia da Mulher Moçambicana
Maputo, 3 May (AIM) – Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has stressed his government’s commitment to defending and consolidating press freedom as an essential pillar of democracy and an indispensable instrument for the promotion of peace, transparency and social justice.
In a message addressed to the Mozambican media on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on 3 May, Chapo stressed the central role of the media in building a more open and plural society, at a time when the world is facing rapid technological transformations and growing challenges to the safety of media professionals.
“When we promote and defend press freedom”, Chapo said, “we are defending peace, fraternity, solidarity, democracy, love for one’s neighbour and the respect for differences”.
The celebrations of World Press Freedom Day, he added, should strengthen the exercise of journalism as an essential element for people living together peacefully, in an international context marked by growing threats to peace.
Chapo stressed the contribution of Mozambican journalists in the consolidation of the democratic rule of law, often under adverse circumstances which demand courage and a high sense of professional responsibility.
He promised that the government will continue to create conditions for the free, responsible and safe exercise of journalism. It would promote an environment of respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens, including media professionals.
Mozambique’s National Union of Journalists (SNJ) marked the date with praise for the new laws on the media passed last month by the country’s parliament, the Assembly of the Republic. It claimed the new laws were a step towards expanding the space for freedom of expression and of the press.
But the SNJ also lamented the persistence of practices that limit press freedom. A statement signed by the SNJ General Secretary, Faruco Sidique, condemned “the attempts that have been reported, albeit sporadically, by some public and private bodies to restrict the free exercise of journalism”.
The SNJ also urged employers to respect the trade union rights of journalists. It denounced situations in which journalists work without contracts or are paid less than the statutory minimum wage.
There were also cases of journalists not receiving the paid holidays to which they are entitled by law. They are also not insured against work or travel accidents.
(AIM)
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