Statement by Heritage critic, Pierre Nantel (Longueuil--Pierre-Boucher) on World Press Freedom Day

Today we are marking World Press Freedom Day.

On this day, we remember journalists who lost their lives in the course of their work. In 2012, a record number of 121 journalists were killed in the exercise of their profession, a figure that has doubled since 2011 and 2010. Many other journalists were victims of persecution and arrest. In too many countries, journalists are suspended, receive fines or lose their jobs simply for doing their duty to inform the public.

Canada has sadly fallen from 10th to 20th place in Reporters without Borders’ world press freedom index –behind Costa Rica, Namibia, Andorra and Liechtenstein. They point to the Conservative government’s actions, and threats to the secrecy of journalistic sources as key reasons for the drop.

New Democrats recognize the crucial importance of freedom of the press and the independence of the media. We strongly condemn all attacks against journalists and commit to protecting freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas on all media platforms.

In Canada and around the world, we urge all governments to defend the freedom of the press.