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Ambassador Marquardt Celebrates World Press Freedom Day in Malabo with Journalists, Students and Government Officials

On May 3, 2005, speaking at the National Museum of Equatorial Guinea, Ambassador Niels Marquardt addressed an audience of 120 journalists, government officials, and students from the National University on the importance of observing World Press Freedom Day in general, and the role of the media in promoting good governance in particular. The Ambassador shared the dais with the Minister of Information, Mr. Antonio Nandongo; the United Nations Development Program representative, Mr. Bacar Abdouoihamane; and the president of the journalists’ union, ASOPGE, Mr. Roberto Prieto.

After recognizing the fruitful efforts of Mr. Prieto in organizing journalists in Equatorial Guinea and working to raise the level of professionalism by all journalists in the country, Ambassador Marquardt discussed the importance of observing World Press Freedom Day. He began by noting that the Day is “an opportunity to encourage and develop initiatives in favor of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide.” He added, “It serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.”

Ambassador Marquardt noted that the theme for World Press Freedom Day 2005 is “Media and Good Governance.” Free, independent and pluralistic media have a crucial role to play in the good governance of democratic societies, by ensuring transparency and accountability, promoting participation and the rule of law, and contributing to the fight against poverty. The Ambassador implored all participants to do “their part in defending press freedom so that the benefits of good governance – democracy and development – can become attainable for all people.”