He President Gabriel Boricindicated this Friday that «the press must make the power uncomfortable” and The Chilean media “are fulfilling their role” because, he added, he has felt “uncomfortable” in the more than two years he has been in office.
“During my campaign we said that the press should make the power uncomfortable and today I maintain it and I must also say that the press has made me uncomfortable, so I think they are fulfilling their role,” said Boric during the inauguration of the 31st World Press Freedom Day Conference which is celebrated in Santiago.
«The free press is what guarantees democracy“said the president.
Environmental Crisis and Fake News
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) brings together hundreds of academics, social organizations and authorities from around the world from this Thursday until May 4 in Santiago de Chile to talk about journalism at a very complex time for freedom of the press in the world.
This year, the anniversary is dedicated to the importance of journalism and the freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis and the debate on how disinformation campaigns and fake news are putting scientific knowledge and research methods into question.
«We know that the Environmental crisis It is real, even though some with a lot of power want to deny it. We know that it has identifiable causes and that we can combat them and we know that serious, responsible and independent journalism has a central role in that fight,” Boric said.
The ruler recalled that Latin America It is one of the most dangerous regions in the world for environmental activists and to practice journalism and highlighted that between 2018 and 2023 a total of crimes were committed in the region. 83 murders of journalists and communicators.
«These figures, which are chilling and should call us to action, are only surpassed by more than 100 journalists brutally murdered in Gaza in the massacre that is taking place these days and in which we do not tire of demanding a ceasefire,” he added.
Francisca Sandoval
During his speech, Boric was interrupted for several minutes by former teammates. Francisca Sandovala journalist for the community television channel Diseño 3 de La Victoria who was fatally shot in May 2022 while covering a Labor Day march in downtown Santiago.
Due to this case, which shocked the country, a man who is dedicated to street trading and for whom the Public ministry He asks for a sentence of 25 years in prison.
He trial was scheduled to begin on May 20but the prosecutor in the case asked to change the date because it coincided with another trial.
«When there is no justice – and justice has to be timely – what sets in is impunity (…) You know that the Power of attorney “It is autonomous, but we are going to do everything in our power to ensure justice in this terrible case,” the Chilean president told the protesters. EFE
