Seychelles has signed a joint declaration led by the U.K. and Canada on the side-lines of a global conference for media freedom in London from July 10 to 11. The declaration was signed by the Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Barry Faure.
The Global pledge on media freedom was signed to counter the threats to media freedom, action is needed both globally and locally. Governments who signed the declaration pledged to form a Media Freedom Coalition, working to “ensure that those who violate or abuse the human rights that underpin media freedom – be they governments or private entities – are held to account.” The coalition was also set up to become a “Media Freedom Contact Group.”
By signing the declaration, the Seychelles is committed to maintaining a number of principles and to be vigilant of emerging threats and opportunities relating to freedom of the press and the rights of journalists.
The Global Conference for Media Freedom was held part of an international campaign to shine a global spotlight on media freedom and increase the cost to those that are attempting to restrict it. The conference itself was structured around four themes:
- protection and prosecution, including impunity
- national frameworks and legislation
- building trust in media and countering disinformation
- media sustainability
When speaking to the local news agency, Ambassador Faure stated that “Seychelles recognises the pledge as a commitment made to continuously defend the freedom of the press. As you know this forms part of our culture and it is enshrined in our constitution.”