The Diplomat
The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Spain has organized for next 25th a debate on how to face the threats to freedom of the press.
The debate will include the participation of Fernando de Yarza, president of the Henneo press group -which publishes, among other media, Heraldo de Aragón, 20minutos and La Información- and of WAN-IFRA, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers.
The event, which will be moderated by the British ambassador, Hugh Elliott, will also be attended by the political scientist and journalist Estefanía Molina.
The debate takes place at a time when issues related to freedom of the press and threats to journalists and the media by some political groups are very topical.
In the announcement of the debate, the diplomatic representation recalls that “a free and independent media is an essential component for the proper functioning of a democracy.” “In times of pandemic and massive use of social media, the role of the media as an indispensable tool for transparency, accountability and truthful information is even more evident, and yet existing threats to press freedom have been exacerbated”.
Noting that the United Kingdom is firmly committed to the defense of this fundamental human right and to preventing impunity for perpetrators of crimes or threats against journalists, the Embassy justifies the holding of the debate in its desire to contribute “to raising public awareness of the challenges facing the media and the necessary protection of journalists”.
