3 May is an occasion to remind world's governments to commit to freedom of the press

Stockholm- Skyline International for Human Rights congratulates all journalists in the world on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, which is celebrated every year on May 3, and regrets that this day is celebrated at a time when restrictions on journalistic work are increasing and journalists are subject to numerous violations.

In a statement realesed today, Tuesday, Skyline announces that World Press Freedom Day is taking place this year, and hundreds of journalists are still paying the price for their efforts to uncover the truth, with murder, injuries, imprisonment, prosecution and threats.

Skyline also commemorates the 25 journalists killed worldwide, including at least 7 in the Ukraine war, according to Reporters Without Borders statistics.

Skyline expressrs regret that most murders and assaults against journalists continue and that the perpetrators continue to enjoy impunity due to unjust legislation and government policies.

It points out that in December 1993, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed World Press Freedom Day at the recommendation of the General Conference UNESCO. The anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration has since been observed worldwide on May 3 as World Press Freedom Day.

In this regard, Skyline indicates that the theme of this year's celebration focuses on the multiple aspects of the impact of the latest developments in governmental and non-governmental censorship, big data collection and artificial intelligence on the press, freedom of expression and privacy. It also highlights the challenges related to the survival and success of media in the digital age, the threats to undermining public trust as a result of censorship and digital attacks on journalists, and the consequences for public confidence in digital communications.

Skyline stresses that this day comes and there are serious challenges facing the freedom of journalistic work, in light of systematic violations in various countries experiencing a state of conflict and conflict, whether international or internal: such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and the occupied Palestinian territories. Many countries of the world, especially in the Arab world, are witnessing extensive restrictions on press freedom, including arresting and threatening journalists, closing media institutions, attempts to silence mouths, and restricting access to information.

Skyline points out that many digital violations were recorded this year, represented in the blocking of websites and pages, and the bringing of journalists to trial, as is the case in Egypt, Sudan, Morocco and Israel.

It further stresses that the advent of World Press Freedom Day is a new occasion to remind the world's governments of the need to respect their commitment to freedom of the press, and to end impunity.

Skyline also calls on journalists to continue their mission and carry out their professional work without submitting to a policy of fear and intimidation. It further calls on the international community and institutions concerned with freedom of the press to initiate practical measures to ensure the cessation of crimes and violations against journalists, to hold accountable those responsible for crimes against them, and to find mechanisms to ensure that states and governments respect freedom of journalistic work and adhere to relevant international standards, especially those contained in General Comment No. 34 issued For the Human Rights Committee on the Implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.