AN exhibition highlighting the importance of press freedom around the world was held by the Frome Amnesty group in Frome library last week.
The exhibition was set up to coincide with World Press Freedom Day which is held on the 3rd May every year to celebrate press freedom; evaluates press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
“So many people don’t realise what is gong on around the world and the threat to press freedom and journalists in many countries,” explained Amnesty member Judy Hosegood.
“So many journalists around the world are in prison for purely doing their job.
“Everyone will remember when 12 people working at the magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris were gunned down at their offices in central Paris in January 2015, but many journalists face this sort of threat around the world.
“According to Reporters without Borders, 22 journalists and media workers have been killed and more than 160 have been imprisoned in 2015 alone. Nearly 100 media professionals were killed because of their work in 2014.
“And there are thousands of journalists who, in every corner of the world, are harassed, intimidated, threatened, tortured and unfairly jailed by governments and armed groups in order to prevent them from reporting stories and issues.
“More and more, we are seeing governments less willing to tolerate dissent and being prepared to do anything to stop journalists from speaking out and informing the public. Those responsible for attacking and killing journalists very rarely face justice and that’s why we held the exhibition to highlight this.”
Frome Amnesty group meets on the 3rd Thursday each month at the Bridge Cafe, Selwood Road, Frome BA11 3BS, at 8pm. If you would like to find out more about the group or would like to get involved then feel free to come along to a meeting or contact Judy Hosegood at judy.hosegood@btinternet.com or on 01373 474375.
