The government on May 3 said on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, "It is imperative for the international community to work together to achieve media freedom at a time when the safety of journalists worldwide is being continuously threatened." 

"The role of journalists who report the truth is vital," it added.

The government expressed its support by signing an official statement with member states of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) that said, "Access to reliable and independent information is paramount, as exemplified by the dissemination of information during the COVID-19 pandemic." 

"If violence against journalists triumphs, media cannot be free and democracy cannot function," it added. "We urge all states to promote and protect media freedom at home and abroad, offline and online, and call upon all states to release all arbitrarily detained journalists and to prosecute all perpetrators of crimes against journalists."

The government added that in addition to joining the MFC, it is also actively participating in a global effort to protect the safety and freedom of journalists through groups promoting journalists' safety. 

Established under the leadership of the U.K. and Canada, the coalition advocates journalist safety and freedom of the press. It has 47 member nations and Korea joined in January this year.

jhaseung@korea.kr