Embassy of the United States

Letters and Speeches

United States promotes freedom of the press

By Robert Blake

May 3rd marks the observation of World Press Freedom Day.  Freedom of the press is essential to a strong civil society and a healthy democracy.  Two hundred and eighteen years ago, the founders of the United States thought that press freedom was of such importance that it became the first amendment in our bill of rights.  “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.”  What was then a radical idea has become a standard to which democracies aspire.  A free press informs and educates the public, provides a check on power and the abuse of power and gives voice to the persecuted.

There are critics who claim that some parts of the world are not suited for democracy, free speech or human rights.  The evidence points to the contrary.  In 1924 Mahatma Gandhi said, "In a vast country like this, there must be room for all schools of honest thought.  At the least, therefore, what we owe to ourselves, as to others, is to try to understand the opponent's view-point and, if we cannot accept it, respect it as fully as we expect him to respect ours.  It is one of the indispensable tests of a healthy public life and, therefore, fitness for Swaraj."

In his second inaugural address, President Bush said that "the policy of the United States is to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture."  He asserted that while, “we have no intention of imposing our own style of democracy on other nations, we do seek to help others find their voice, attain their own freedom, and make their own way."  Without a free and vibrant press, a nation cannot find its voice and become a flourishing democracy.

Citizens must have the ability to express themselves, to debate alternative ideas and to challenge assumptions. A media that is independent from the state allows the peaceful expression and competition of ideas, on which democracy depends.

Former slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass said, "There can be no right of speech where any man, however lifted up, or however humble, however young, or however old, is overawed by force, and compelled to suppress his honest sentiments.  Equally clear is the right to hear.  To suppress free speech is a double wrong.  It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.  It is just as criminal to rob a man of his right to speak and hear as it would be to rob him of his money."

We vigorously promote media freedom as a core component of our diplomacy and our assistance programs because a free press is essential to democracy. We do this by calling attention to efforts to restrict freedom of the press, by supporting the rights of   independent producers and broadcasters, and through training for journalists, editors and media managers.

The United States is proud to assist Maldives in following their Road Map for Reform.  We have worked with journalists from Haveeru and Minivan.  Last year a Fulbright specialist spent five weeks in Malé developing the curricula for a degree program in journalism.  We will send Fulbright scholars to help teach this journalism program over the next two years.  Minister of Information Mohamed Nasheed has agreed to fund two Maldivians to pursue advanced degrees in journalism in the U.S. so they can return to be instructors at the new university.  In the next few months we plan on bringing a distinguished American journalist to hold a series of lectures and workshops for Maldivian journalists.

Every day, brave men and women around the world risk harassment, beatings, detention, imprisonment and even death for exposing the truth.   The instruments of repression include libel laws, government control of the media, self-censorship, restriction of the Internet, and sharp declines in numbers of independent press outlets.

On World Press Freedom Day, we recognize the important contributions of a free press everywhere and honor the sacrifices of those who have risked their lives and their fortunes for the sake of a free press and the betterment of their country.