Embassy of the United States

Ambassador Speeches

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Zambia Carmen Martinez at the World Freedom Day 2006

I am very pleased and honored that the Press Freedom Committee of The Post has invited me to deliver the keynote speech celebrating World Press Freedom Day 2006. I would like to begin by congratulating the organizers of this event. They have done a marvelous job.

Each year on May 3rd we come together around the world to celebrate the importance of a free press to civil society and to examine the concept of press freedom. This day also serves as a reminder for governments to respect their commitments to uphold the fundamental rights of journalists and their people’s right to be informed about the state of their countries and the world.

Freedom of the press is essential for a healthy democracy and a strong civil society. A free press gives voice to the persecuted, educates the public, and provides a check on power and the abuse of power. Citizens must have the ability to express themselves, to debate alternative ideas and to challenge assumptions.

Some 230 years ago, when American founding fathers were deliberating the role of a free press in our nascent democracy, President Thomas Jefferson, our 3rd president who was a strong proponent of freedom of the press, wrote, "Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter." Yet, he was also a champion of a high-quality press. He added, "I deplore … the putrid state into which our newspapers have passed and the malignity, the vulgarity, and mendacious spirit of those who write for them."

To protect free speech and press, the First Amendment to our Constitution was enacted in 1791. It reads, “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” This powerful declaration enshrines one of the most basic beliefs of our nation: the importance of the press in nurturing democratic government.

Since then, governments and free press around the world have co-existed and thrived. Civil societies and democratic governments continue to ratify laws that protect the rights of the press. The profession has developed code of ethics that protect citizens from misleading, unwarranted, and malicious attacks. To better serve society, the news media has adapted to changing times, from print, to radio, television and now the Internet.

A responsible and independent media allows the peaceful expression and competition of ideas, on which democracy depends. As you monitor government’s policies and check facts, your presentation has to be factual and truthful to provide the public with facts and information that allow individuals to make informed decisions.

As you and your colleagues around the world report the truth, we know you face risk. We recognize the sacrifices of those journalists who have risked their lives and their fortunes for the sake of free and accurate reporting. We need to remember, every day, brave men and women who 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.

The American people champion a free press around the world. 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 had 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.

Through your reporting, I know that you have been advocating for reforms to enhance freedom of the press in Zambia. The Freedom of Information Bill, Independent Broadcasting Authority Act, and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation Act are still pending. I believe these laws are essential to further strengthen democratic institutions in Zambia and it is important to work with the government to bring them to conclusion.

The United States vigorously promotes media freedom as a core component of our diplomacy and assistance programs because a free press is essential to democracy. We promote this freedom 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.

We also support professional exchanges and civic education programs that strengthen an independent media. For those who have difficulties gaining access to free information, we provide material assistance for the production of radio and television programs.

In Zambia, through our Public Affairs Office, we have funded and organized training programs for journalists on HIV/AIDS, economic and business reporting, and fair and accurate election reporting. I am also happy to inform you that one of your own colleagues, Faith Kandaba of ZNBC, left yesterday for the United States to participate in a broadcasting journalism exchange program. Faith will join 25 other journalists from around the world and will visit several cities in the United States to observe American broadcasting practices. I am hopeful that she will share her observations with you when she returns to Zambia.


You may have also heard that Gethsemane Mwizabi of the Times of Zambia was one of 124 journalists from around the world who took part in our inaugural Edward R. Murrow International Visitor Program for Journalists, last month.

Edward R. Murrow, as you may know, was one of America’s most celebrated broadcast journalists. Murrow championed and enhanced radio broadcasting (in 1939) and television broadcasting (in 1950) to unprecedented scope and depth. He also defended civil liberties and freedom of the press in the United States. His work continues to inspire men and women around the world.

The Murrow program brought together journalists representing television, radio and print media to the United States for three weeks to examine journalistic practices. The participants also had the opportunity to speak frankly with journalists, students, and citizens.

Some of the most common concerns that participants raised were:
-- The tension reporters often feel between the need to report the news and the responsibility to protect national security;
-- Their mission as journalists and what pressures they face in their countries;
-- The difference between journalistic activism, which attempts to change society, and journalism that simply states facts.

I think you would also find it interesting to hear some other comments from the participants:

-- American television journalist George Stephanopoulos, a former press secretary for President Clinton said, "I would not broadcast something I personally believe would harm national security; but, I need to decide, not the government."

-- Washington Bureau Chief of CNN David Bohrman said, "I believe our role is to be the person with the flashlight in a dark room, the alarm at the firehouse." He called the media "America's fourth branch of government," because it monitors the government's policies and checks its facts.
-- U.N. Mission to Sudan radio presenter Maysoon Mohamed Osman said, she strives to "give a voice to the voiceless" and feels that she works on behalf of people who are not free to express their opinions.

-- And, finally, William Alberto Fernandez-Soto of Costa Rica said, journalists should be the "conscience" of people "isolated from information" by their governments. People use information to make decisions, and those without information can be dominated easily, he said.
These concerns and views, I believe, are familiar to you and I hope your associations continue to debate these contemporary issues that affect your work every day.

As you and your colleagues around the world face risks in search of the truth, today’s celebration should lead us to recommit and pledge to support a free and independent media, which is connected to broader efforts to support democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. These are values that civil society organizations around the world champion throughout the year and the free media takes a central role in disseminating information and sensitizing society.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to address distinguished Zambian journalists. It is indeed a double honor for me to participate in the celebration of “World Press Freedom Day” and in the launch of the “HIV/AIDS and Gender Baseline Study.”
As you may know, the American people, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, have provided U.S. $279 million in 2005 and 2006 in support of the Government of Zambia’s national program to fight HIV/AIDS. I look forward to reading the report and I hope it will contribute to increased, consistent, and gender sensitive news media coverage aimed at reducing the prevalence rate and fighting stigma.
Thank you.