Tegucigalpa, May 3 (EFE) .- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (Oacnudh) made an “urgent call” to the state of Honduras on Saturday to guarantee freedom of expression in all its dimensions.
On World press Freedom Day and in the current electoral context of the country, Oacnud “makes an urgent call to the state of Honduras to guarantee freedom of expression in all its dimensions, including the digital environment.”
“Press freedom must be effectively protected, to ensure transparent, inclusive and participatory democratic processes,” said the Oacnudh in a statement.
He emphasized that a “free and independent press” is a fundamental pillar of every democratic society and also stressed that access to “truthful information, public scrutiny of power and informed debate” are essential elements for citizen participation and the strengthening of the rule of law.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to continue accompanying the Honduran state and civil society in the promotion and protection of freedom of expression, a key right for the functioning of democracy.
Freedom of the press worldwide lives its worst time since reporters without borders (RSF) began developing its index in 2002 due to the bad economic situation of the media, which endangers its survival and threatens the integrity of their work.
In its annual press freedom report published on Friday, RSF warns that “for the first time in the history of the ranking”, “the situation of press freedom becomes ‘difficult’ worldwide.”
