BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS media practitioners in the Federation joined with their regionally and internationally colleagues to celebrate World Press Freedom Day yesterday (May 3), interim Chairman of the St. Kitts and Nevis Press Association, Glen Bart said the local media fraternity is free of interference.
Speaking with SKNVibes, Bart explained that he does not see any active impediment to freedom of speech by media practitioners in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“I believe that the press situation is generally free,” Bart said.
Unlike some jurisdictions where government censors and incarcerate journalist who speak against them, no such action has or should take place in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Chairman noted.
“The Media Association is pleased to be joining with other organizations throughout the region and around the world to commemorate World Press Freedom Day. It is true that in some parts of the world many journalist and reporters find themselves in hostile situations. We definitely have to give our support to them and also to ensure that generally the profession attains more protection for its workers, whether it is in one’s country or throughout the region.”
Against that backdrop, Bart said that the local body would be looking to this year as the time when they return to fully functioning as an organization that represents the interest of local journalists.
The body has been dormant for a number of years but efforts are in the pipeline to have it fully resuscitated.
He noted that the day reminds journalist that they need to “be active, proactive and to provide support to each other”.
The 2016 World Press Freedom Day was celebrated under the theme ‘Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms - This Is Your Right!’
In December 1993, the United Nations proclaimed May 3 as World Press Freedom Day to highlight press freedom.
According to the United Nations, it assesses the state of press freedom throughout the world; defend the media from attacks on their independence; and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
