The United Nations, media organisations and rights groups will send out messages in support of freedom of expression and freedom of the press to mark the annual celebration of World Press Freedom Day today.
Some of these statements will insist on the need to protect the principles of free press as it is a cornerstone for healthy democracy.
Earlier statements have reminded the public that there are individuals, organisations and institutions around the world that battle severe oppression and extreme risks every day to defend or promote the free flow of information.
Their sacrifices are deserving of the recognition that they are due to receive on this day.
It is unfortunate that while we have seen remarkable progress in communication technologies, they do not automatically translate into better, more equitable access to information.
Injustices, censorship and violations of human rights still prevail in many corners of the world.
In Cambodia a few days ago, the government banned a gathering of workers to celebrate Labour Day.
Closer to home, such laws that have long been criticised for trampling on freedom of expression — the lese majeste law or Computer Crime Act — have remained in effect with little effort, if any, made by state authorities to address their perceived shortcomings.
Looking at the problem from another perspective, the same advancement in communication technologies — free phone calls, instant messaging services or spontaneous social media platforms — that allow a large number of people to assemble and disseminate information conveniently with great speed have posed new challenges to the spirit of press freedom and freedom of expression.
These challenges may include a need to redefine who can be considered members of the press and what is the crux of freedom of expression that we are looking to protect.
It’s no exaggeration that at present, anyone can act as a reporter or disseminator of news from the comfort of their living rooms.
The ease of information dissemination, however, has given rise to a worrying rise in lies, misinformation and hate-filled speeches as the country struggles under a prolonged and extremely polarising political conflict that is still unravelling in the heart of the capital with no end in sight.
While traditional media have not escaped the political strife unscathed as some of them have suffered accusations of being partisan and biased toward certain parties in the conflict, their ingrained codes of conduct and professional safeguarding mechanisms have at least ensured they have not fallen to the point of becoming all-out political propaganda tools.
The increase in incidents of hate-filled speeches and the instigation of hatred is a cause for concern and something that society must act upon to prevent it from triggering social malaise in the future, especially as society goes through a delicate political transition.
Suppression won’t work. Education can fare better.
The spirit of the press freedom day, which is applicable to anyone who receives and shares information and ideas through any media, not only means freedom of expression but also freedom from hatred and freedom from being driven by fear.
Being a member of the press means an adherence to a certain code of ethics and professional behaviour that defines what freedom means to them.
It’s that combination — the defence of free expression, observance of ethics and devotion to public good — that marks the spirit of the celebration today.