EU Extends Freedom Of Expression To Internet And Other Media

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah SINGAPORE, May 4 (Bernama) -- The European Union (EU) has extended freedom of expression to the internet and other media, and is firmly opposed to any unjustified, disproportional restrictions of access to or use of these media. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, made this declaration on behalf of the EU on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on Thursday. Her text of speech was made available by the delegation office here, Thursday. Ashton noted that freedom of expression, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human rights, entailed everyone’s right to hold opinions without interference, and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media, regardless of frontiers. On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, she said the EU recalled the principles and paid tribute to those who fought for the respect of freedom of expression and for free, pluralistic press and other media. She said censorship and harassment of editors, writers, journalists or bloggers were unacceptable, as were the use of violence and state-induced arrests inflicted upon them. Ashton said the EU commended the courageous work of journalists who, in often highly precarious conditions, continued to provide independent information. "The EU calls on all states to guarantee the safety of journalists and to allow them to carry out their vital role of reporting and commenting on events in an independent manner, without fear of violence and recrimination," she added. -- BERNAMA