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From YouTube: MAY 3 2023 Statements Aman Singh
Description
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
4th Session
42nd Parliament
A
Member
for
Richmond
Queensborough,
thank
you,
Mr
Speaker,
it's
Richmond's
turn
today,
I
guess
today
on
World
Press,
Freedom
Day,
we
celebrate
the
crucial
role
of
journalists
and
media
workers
in
promoting
transparency,
accountability
and
democracy.
It's
been
30
years
since
the
UN
marked
this
day,
May
3rd
as
International
Day
for
the
Press
Freedom
press
freedom
is
a
Cornerstone
of
democratic
societies.
It
allows
us
to
hold
those
in
power
to
account
to
uncover
corruption
and
abuse
and
to
ensure
that
all
voices
are
heard.
A
It
empowers
individuals
to
make
informed
decisions
and
it
strengthens
the
institutions
that
uphold
our
Democratic
Values.
Unfortunately,
press
Freedom
continues
to
be
under
threat
around
the
world.
Journalists
and
media
workers
face
harassment,
intimidation
and
violence
simply
for
doing
their
jobs.
Governments
and
other
powerful
actors
use
various
tactics
to
silence
critical
voices
in
this
day
and
age
of
proliferation
of
misinformation.
There
are
other
dangers:
the
erosion
of
trust
and
the
subtle
attacks
on
journalists,
integrity
and
reputation,
seemingly
small
in
insignificant
blows,
But,
ultimately,
death
by
attrition
and
a
million
Cuts.
A
We
here
as
legislators
need
to
be
cognizant
of
that
and
when
we
see
it,
we
need
to
come
out.
We
need
to
come
to
the
defense
of
our
colleagues
in
the
press
and,
yes,
they
are
our
colleagues
in
this
experiment
that
we
call
democracy.
On
this
day,
we
call
in
all
governments
to
respect
and
protect
press
freedom
to
ensure
that
journalists
can
do
their
work
without
fear
of
reprisal
or
censorship.
We
urge
media
Outlets
to
uphold
the
highest
standards
of
journalistic
integrity
and
to
resist
pressure
to
compromise
their
independence
or
editorial
Freedom.
A
We
also
celebrate
the
resilience
of
journalists
and
media
workers
who
continue
to
report
on
the
news
and
to
hold
power
to
account.
Despite
facing
unprecedented
challenges,
their
work
is
more
important
than
ever
now,
as
we
navigate
a
rapidly
changing
and
often
chaotic
World.
Let
us
remember
that
press
freedom
is
not
just
a
right
but
a
responsibility.
We
all
have
a
role
to
play
in
upholding
that
and
defending
that
freedom.
Thank
you.