World Press Freedom Day: ISESCO Calls on Islamic World to Promote Freedom of Speech

Rabat - The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) called on the competent parties in the Member States to promote freedom of speech as part of responsibility and the profession’s code of ethics.

"Each year, the World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on May 3rd. This event is an occasion to highlight the fundamental principles of the freedom of the press and evaluate the status of this freedom in different countries," ISESCO said in a statement.

The organization also called on the Member States to guarantee the right of access to information given the fact that it is one of the fundamental rights of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Islamic Declaration on Cultural Rights.

ISESCO stressed that freedom of the press and its corollary, freedom of speech, are fundamental freedoms that are included in all reference documents on human rights.

In its statement also, ISESCO called on Member States to develop a comprehensive legal system for information and communication in order to promote responsible freedom of speech and comply with the code of ethics as well as involving civil society institutions, and professional associations, organizations and unions of journalists and media professionals in the development of this system.

In addition, ISESCO recommended the protection of journalists through including legal provisions in the Member States’ legislation, with the objective of preserving the journalists’ rights and physical and psychological safety and recognizing their status in the society.

The organization urged both the International Federation of Journalists and the United Nations Human Rights Council to efficiently work towards sensitizing journalists about the importance of respecting religious symbols and abstaining from blasphemy and defamation of religions, given the fact that these acts provoke the sentiments of all followers of religions and constitute a blatant violation of the International Media Law and the internationally recognized code of ethics.

Furthermore, ISESCO emphasized the need to develop the sector of the press and information in the Islamic world and provide the legal means that could help media professionals fulfill their duty of serving and developing the society, as well as supporting comprehensive sustainable development through consolidating freedom of the press while abiding by the legal regulations and societal rules.