[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 65 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  SENATE RESOLUTION 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

  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:

                              S. Res. 124

       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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