Mr. Speaker, on this World Press Freedom Day we must honour the vital role that the independent press plays in fostering democracy around the world.
Journalistic freedom ensures accountability and encourages the transparency of governments. It is at the heart of every healthy, dynamic democracy.
We cannot take this freedom for granted, and we must respect and maintain journalistic freedom both at home and abroad. Censorship, harassment, intimidation, and even violence are too often experienced by journalists as they fulfill their critical role on behalf of citizens in their countries.
In Canada, we are fortunate that our freedoms of opinion and expression, including freedom of the press, are enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
These values must be shared, and Canada must do everything it can to promote freedom of the press around the world.
Journalists must be able to report the truth freely without fear of repercussions, and we must do all we can to support them in that pursuit.