Georgian FM, CoE Chair Zalkaliani pays tribute to journalists amid coronavirus pandemic ahead of Press Freedom Day

Georgian Foreign Minister and Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe David Zalkaliani has paid tribute to all journalists ‘who are on the frontline and continue reporting during the ongoing crisis’ ahead of Press Freedom Day which will be marked on May 3. 

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Freedom of expression, a free press and flow of reliable information are critical for the functioning of a truly democratic society. This is especially true in this time of unprecedented global crisis,” Zalkaliani said.

He stated that now, more than ever, the public must have access to accurate, prompt, and reliable information.

It is to be welcomed that many media have adopted guidelines on reporting the COVID-19 crisis and it is imperative that they can gather and publish all relevant information freely. At the same time, public authorities should guarantee equal access to information for all media, as provided for in the Convention on Access to Official Documents (the Tromsø Convention),” Zalkaliani stated. 

Earlier today the Council of Europe’s Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric also issued a statement ahead of Press Freedom Day, citing a new report on the situation concerning rights of journalists in Europe. 

She said that ‘governments are facing unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 crisis, but the situation must not be used to silence or hinder journalists.’ 

The  report says that in 2019, ‘Europe was an intense and often dangerous battleground for press freedom and freedom of expression.’

It says that the Council of Europe’s Platform to promote the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists (the Platform) recorded 142 serious threats to media freedom, including 33 physical attacks against journalists, 17 new cases of detention and imprisonment, 43 cases of harassment and intimidation, and two new cases of impunity for murder.