III 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 447 

Recognizing the threats to freedom of the press and expression around the 

world and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority in the efforts 

of the United States Government to promote democracy and good governance. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 15, 2014 

Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. RUBIO) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the threats to freedom of the press and expression around the world and reaffirming freedom of the 

press as a priority in the efforts of the United States 

Government to promote democracy and good governance. 

Whereas Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted at Paris December 10, 

1948, states that ‘‘everyone has the right to freedom of 

opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to 

hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, 

and impart information and ideas through any media and 

regardless of frontiers’’; 

Whereas, in 1993, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 3 of each year as ‘‘World Press Freedom 

Day’’ to celebrate the fundamental principles of freedom 


tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
2 

•SRES 447 IS 

of the press, to evaluate freedom of the press around the 

world, to defend the media from attacks on its independence, and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their 

lives in the exercise of their profession; 

Whereas, on December 18, 2013, the United Nations General 

Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/68/163) on the 

safety of journalists and the issue of impunity, which unequivocally condemns all attacks and violence against 

journalists and media workers, including torture, 

extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary 

detention, and intimidation and harassment in both conflict and non-conflict situations; 

Whereas 2014 is the 21st anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, which focuses on the theme ‘‘Media Freedom 

for a Better Future: Shaping the Post-2015 Development 

Agenda’’; 

Whereas the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009 

(Public Law 111–16622; U.S.C. 2151 note), which was 

passed by unanimous consent in the Senate and signed 

into law by President Barack Obama in 2010, expanded 

the examination of freedom of the press around the world 

in the annual human rights report of the Department of 

State; 

Whereas, according to Reporters Without Borders, 71 journalists and 39 citizen journalists were killed in 2013 in 

connection with their collection and dissemination of 

news and information; 

Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 

the 3 deadliest countries for journalists on assignment in 

2013 were Syria, Iraq, and Egypt, and in Syria, the 


tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
3 

•SRES 447 IS 

deadliest country for such journalists, an unprecedented 

number of journalists were abducted; 

Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 

617 journalists have been murdered since 1992 without 

the perpetrators of such crimes facing punishment; 

Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 

the 5 countries with the highest number of unsolved journalist murders are Iraq, the Philippines, Algeria, Colombia, and Somalia; 

Whereas, according to Reporters Without Borders, 826 journalists and 127 citizen journalists were arrested in 2013; 

Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 

211 journalists worldwide were in prison on December 1, 

2013; 

Whereas, according to Reporters Without Borders, the 5 

countries with the highest number of journalists in prison 

are Syria, China, Eritrea, Turkey, and Iran; 

Whereas, according to Reporters Without Borders, the Government of Syria and extremist rebel militias have intentionally targeted journalists, causing dramatic repercussions for the freedom of the press throughout the region; 

Whereas the Government of the Russian Federation has engaged in an unprecedented campaign to silence the independent press and undermine freedom of expression, including its recent efforts to destabilize Ukraine; 

Whereas freedom of the press is a key component of democratic governance, the activism of civil society, and socioeconomic development; and 

Whereas freedom of the press enhances public accountability, 

transparency, and participation: Now, therefore, be it 


tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
4 

•SRES 447 IS 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) expresses concern about the threats to free3 dom of the press and expression around the world 

4 following World Press Freedom Day, held on May 3, 

5 2014; 

6 (2) commends journalists and media workers 

7 around the world for their essential role in pro8 moting government accountability, defending demo9 cratic activity, and strengthening civil society, de10 spite threats to their safety; 

11 (3) pays tribute to the journalists who have lost 

12 their lives carrying out their work; 

13 (4) calls on governments abroad to implement 

14 United Nations General Assembly Resolution (A/ 

15 RES/68/163), by thoroughly investigating and seek16 ing to resolve outstanding cases of violence against 

17 journalists, including murders and kidnappings, 

18 while ensuring the protection of witnesses; 

19 (5) condemns all actions around the world that 

20 suppress freedom of the press, such as the recent 

21 kidnappings of journalists and media workers in 

22 eastern Ukraine by pro-Russian militant groups; 

23 (6) reaffirms the centrality of freedom of the 

24 press to efforts by the United States Government to 

25 support democracy, mitigate conflict, and promote 


tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
5 

•SRES 447 IS 

1 good governance domestically and around the world; 

2 and 

3 (7) calls on the President and the Secretary of 

4 State— 

5 (A) to improve the means by which the 

6 United States Government rapidly identifies, 

7 publicizes, and responds to threats against free8 dom of the press around the world; 

9 (B) to urge foreign governments to trans10 parently investigate and bring to justice the 

11 perpetrators of attacks against journalists; and 

12 (C) to highlight the issue of threats 

13 against freedom of the press year-round. 

Æ 


tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with BILLS