UNESCO: World Press Freedom Day 2017 is a Success

Jakarta, InfoPublik - UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Frank La Rue declared that the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2017 in Jakarta  was successful.

"WPFD 2017 was attended by many participants and I hope this will bring influence to the whole world," said La Rue in his closing speech of WPFD 2017 at the Jakarta Convention Center, Thursday (5/4) evening.

According to La Rue, UNESCO will strive to protect the safety and security of journalists.

"Press freedom became our major concern amid the growing violence against journalists," he said.

He pointed out that NORTE newspaper owned by Oscar A. Cantu from Mexico being closed down became a bad precedent for freedom of the press.

"The killing of journalists in Mexico poses a serious threat to the press," he said.

He asserted, UNESCO together with stakeholders around the world will strive to strengthen democracy.

"I am optimistic that the safety of journalists can be improved," he said.

UNESCO, said La Rue, also expressed its gratitude to the Indonesian government for it has successfully organized the WPFD 207. (Reporter: Eko Budiono, Translator: Siti Chodijah)