KENYA: Journalism is a “Mission” says UCAP Africa’s President on World Press Freedom Day

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day marked annually on May 3, president of the Union of the African Catholic Press (UCAP) has emphasized that journalism is not a “Job” but a “mission.”

In statement shared with AMECEA Online, UCAP President George Sunguh reminded journalists on behalf of the union’s executive council that being a mission, those practicing journalism must be truthful in reporting and use their skills to promote peace as encouraged by Pope Francis.

This year the day was celebrated under the theme “Information as a Public Good.”

The day was meant to serve as a call to affirm the importance of cherishing information as a public good, to explore what can be done in the production, distribution and reception of content, to strengthen journalism and to advance transparency and empowerment.

Sunguh who is at the helm of the organization that brings together Catholic journalists both in the Church and secular media across Africa, disclosed that even though many counties “have made significant gains in achieving press freedom,” it is disheartening to note that some democratic countries are clawing back the gains made so far made.”

He noted that some government officials have “totally refused to respect press freedom within their jurisdictions” and reports still “abound about journalists being killed in line of their duty, others are being imprisoned, beaten and harassed in all manner by those in authority and the general populace.”

The UCAP President has reminded the people of Africa to respect “the important role journalists’ play” in various countries, echoing Pope Francis message that, “freedom of the press and of expression are important indicators of the state of a country’s health.”

The annual World Press Freedom Day which came about at the twenty-sixth session of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) General Conference held in Windhoek, Namibia in 1991 is meant to celebrate press freedom, defend the media against attacks, recognize the efforts of journalists around the world who disseminate information and a reminder to governments to respect press freedom.

According to the UCAP statement on Monday, “a total of 53 journalists have been killed a cross the world” as documented early this year by the international non-governmental organization ‘Reporters Without Borders’ whose aim is to safeguard the right to freedom of information.

In relation to the killing of journalists, the Council advised the people of Africa to “hail the Ugandan authorities who recently jailed “seven soldiers found guilty after beating journalists who were covering the Presidential elections.”

“We encourage other governments to take appropriate measures against wayward forces and even members of the public who behave in any manner likely to breach Freedom of the Press,” the statement reads in part.