III 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 124 

Recognizing the threats to press freedom and expression around the world 

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

States to promote democracy and good governance, on the occasion 

of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2009. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 30, 2009 

Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself, Mr. KAUFMAN, Mr. LUGAR, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. 

DURBIN, Mr. KERRY, Mr. CASEY, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. 

CARDIN, and Mr. MENENDEZ) submitted the following resolution; which 

was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the threats to press freedom and expression 

around the world and reaffirming press freedom as a 

priority in the efforts of the United States to promote 

democracy and good governance, on the occasion of 

World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2009. 

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 press 

freedom, to evaluate the state of press freedom around 

the world, to defend the media from attacks on the independence of the media, and to pay tribute to journalists 

who have lost their lives in the line of duty; 


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•SRES 124 ATS 

Whereas, according to the International Federation of Journalists, at least 109 journalists and other media workers 

were killed in 2008 while on assignment; 

Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 

nearly 3 out of 4 journalists killed in the line of duty are 

murdered, and the killers go unpunished in nearly 9 of 

10 cases; 

Whereas, according to estimates by Reporters Without Borders, in 2008, 673 journalists were arrested, 929 journalists were physically attacked or threatened, and 29 journalists were kidnapped; 

Whereas Freedom House reported that press freedom has 

been declining during recent years in both authoritarian 

countries and established democracies; 

Whereas, reflecting the rise in influence of Internet reporting, 

an increasing number of online editors, bloggers, and 

web-based reporters are being imprisoned and their 

websites closed; and 

Whereas press freedom is a key component of democratic 

governance and socio-economic development and enhances 

public accountability, transparency and participation: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the threats to press freedom and 

3 expression around the world, on the occasion of 

4 World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2009; 

5 (2) commends journalists around the world for 

6 the essential role they play in promoting government 


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•SRES 124 ATS 

1 accountability and strengthening civil society, despite 

2 numerous threats; 

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

4 their lives in the line of duty; 

5 (4) condemns all actions around the world that 

6 suppress press freedom; 

7 (5) reaffirms the centrality of press freedom to 

8 efforts by the United States to support democracy, 

9 mitigate conflict, and promote good governance 

10 around the world; and 

11 (6) calls on the President and the Secretary of 

12 State to develop means by which the United States 

13 Government can more rapidly identify, publicize, and 

14 respond to threats against press freedom around the 

15 world. 

Æ 


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