Governments worldwide are being urged to ensure an independent and diverse media free from harassment in their various countries.

Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres says in addition to the financial challenges facing media organizations arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, issues of abuse still persists.

“In too many countries they [journalists] are in great personal risk including new restrictions, censorship, abuse, harassment, detention and even death simply for doing their jobs and the situation continues to worsen.

“The economic impact of the pandemic has affected many media houses, threatening their very survival. I urge all governments to do everything in their power to support a free independent and diverse media,” he said.

The topic of press freedom has been topical here in Ghana in the last few weeks following a speech by statesman Sam Jonah on whether there was a return to dreaded culture of silence.

The issue has raised numerous discussions, with some accusing the Akufo-Addo government of infringing on the rights of the press.

But as to whether what Mr Jonah has insinuated is true or false, with the world commemorating Press Freedom Day, themed, “Information as a public good”, UN secretary General Antonio Guterres stressed that pressmen can only contribute information for public if they are free from harassment.

“With the pandemic and other crisis including the climate emergency, journalists and media workers are propagating fast changing and offering over whelming large scape of information but we need to address the dangers of inaccuracies and falsehoods.”