[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 124 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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;
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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the threats to press freedom and expression 
        around the world, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on 
        May 3, 2009;
            (2) commends journalists around the world for the essential 
        role they play in promoting government accountability and 
        strengthening civil society, despite numerous threats;
            (3) pays tribute to the journalists who have lost their 
        lives in the line of duty;
            (4) condemns all actions around the world that suppress 
        press freedom;
            (5) reaffirms the centrality of press freedom to efforts by 
        the United States to support democracy, mitigate conflict, and 
        promote good governance around the world; and
            (6) calls on the President and the Secretary of State to 
        develop means by which the United States Government can more 
        rapidly identify, publicize, and respond to threats against 
        press freedom around the world.
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