Title: A resolution recognizing threats to freedom of the press and expression around the world and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority in efforts of the United States Government to promote democracy and good governance.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
Welcomes the celebration of World Press Freedom Day 2017 on May 3, 2017.
Commends journalists and media workers around the world for their role in promoting government accountability, defending democratic activity, and strengthening civil society, despite threats to their safety. Pays tribute to journalists who have lost their lives or liberty carrying out their work.
Calls on governments abroad to implement United Nations General Assembly Resolution 163 (1963) by investigating and seeking to resolve cases of violence against journalists and by reporting on the investigations.
Expresses concern about the threats to freedom of the press and expression around the world and condemns actions that suppress it.
Calls on the President and the Department of State to:

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 150 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 150

 Recognizing threats to freedom of the press and expression around the 
world and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority in efforts of 
 the United States Government to promote democracy and good governance.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 3, 2017

    Mr. Casey (for himself, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Wyden) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing threats to freedom of the press and expression around the 
world and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority in 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 in Paris, France, on December 10, 1948, states, ``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 of the press, evaluate freedom of the press around 
        the world, defend against attacks on the independence of the media, and 
        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 (United Nations General Assembly Resolution 163 (2013)) on 
        the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity, that unequivocally 
        condemns, in both conflict and nonconflict situations, all attacks on 
        and violence against journalists and media workers, including torture, 
        extrajudicial killing, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, and 
        intimidation and harassment;
Whereas the theme for the 2017 World Press Freedom Day, is ``Critical Minds for 
        Critical Times: Media's role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive 
        societies'';
Whereas the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note; 
        Public Law 111-166), which was passed by unanimous consent in the Senate 
        and signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010, expanded the 
        annual Human Rights Reports of the Department of State to include the 
        examination of freedom of the press;
Whereas, the 2016 World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without 
        Borders in April 2016, indicated ``a climate of fear and tension 
        combined with increasing control over newsrooms by governments and 
        private sector interests'';
Whereas, the 2016 World Press Freedom Index identified a decline in media 
        freedom across all indicators, especially the destruction of media 
        infrastructure, like the facilities and equipment of media, and the 
        adoption of legislative frameworks that unjustly penalize journalists 
        for doing their work;
Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, in 2016, the three 
        deadliest countries for journalists were Syria, Yemen, and Iraq, with 
        more than half of the journalists killed in combat or crossfire, for the 
        first time since the Committee to Protect Journalists began keeping 
        records;
Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, in 2016, 48 
        journalists were killed in cases where the motive was confirmed to be 
        related to their reporting, 28 journalists were killed in cases where 
        the motive was unconfirmed, and 2 media workers were killed;
Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, impunity for the 
        murder of journalists remains systemic, with the killers going free in 9 
        out of 10 cases;
Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, as of December 1, 
        2016, 259 journalists worldwide were in prison, the highest number 
        recorded since the group began systematically tracking imprisonment in 
        1990;
Whereas, according to the Freedom House report ``Freedom of the Press 2017'', 
        only 13 percent of the world's population enjoys a Free press, meaning 
        ``coverage of political news is robust, the safety of journalists is 
        guaranteed, state intrusion in media affairs is minimal, and the press 
        is not subject to onerous legal or economic pressures.'';
Whereas freedom of the press is a key component of democratic governance, 
        activism in civil society, and socioeconomic development; and
Whereas freedom of the press enhances public accountability, transparency, and 
        participation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) expresses concern about the threats to freedom of the 
        press and expression around the world;
            (2) welcomes the celebration of World Press Freedom Day 
        2017 on May 3, 2017;
            (3) commends journalists and media workers around the world 
        for their essential role in promoting government 
        accountability, defending democratic activity, and 
        strengthening civil society, despite threats to their safety;
            (4) pays tribute to journalists who have lost their lives 
        or liberty carrying out their work;
            (5) calls on governments abroad to implement United Nations 
        General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/68/163) by thoroughly 
        investigating and seeking to resolve outstanding cases of 
        violence against journalists, including murders and 
        kidnappings, while ensuring the protection of witnesses, and by 
        reporting on the status of investigations;
            (6) condemns all actions around the world that suppress 
        freedom of the press;
            (7) reaffirms the centrality of freedom of the press to 
        efforts of the United States Government to support democracy, 
        mitigate conflict, and promote good governance domestically and 
        around the world; and
            (8) calls on the President and the Secretary of State--
                    (A) to preserve and build upon United States 
                leadership in freedom of the press, on the basis of 
                First Amendment protections;
                    (B) to improve the means by which the United States 
                Government rapidly identifies, publicizes, and responds 
                to threats against freedom of the press around the 
                world;
                    (C) to urge foreign governments to conduct 
                transparent investigations and adjudications of the 
                perpetrators of attacks against journalists; and
                    (D) to highlight the issue of threats against 
                freedom of the press in the annual Human Rights Reports 
                and year round.
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