That the Senate—
expresses concern about the threats to freedom of the press and expression around the world;
welcomes the celebration of World Press Freedom Day 2017 on May 3, 2017;
commends journalists and media workers around the world for their essential role in promoting government accountability, defending democratic activity, and strengthening civil society, despite threats to their safety;
pays tribute to journalists who have lost their lives or liberty carrying out their work;
calls on governments abroad to implement United Nations General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/68/163) by thoroughly investigating and seeking to resolve outstanding cases of violence against journalists, including murders and kidnappings, while ensuring the protection of witnesses, and by reporting on the status of investigations;
condemns all actions around the world that suppress freedom of the press;
reaffirms the centrality of freedom of the press to efforts of the United States Government to support democracy, mitigate conflict, and promote good governance domestically and around the world; and
calls on the President and the Secretary of State—
to preserve and build upon United States leadership in freedom of the press, on the basis of First Amendment protections;
to improve the means by which the United States Government rapidly identifies, publicizes, and responds to threats against freedom of the press around the world;
to urge foreign governments to conduct transparent investigations and adjudications of the perpetrators of attacks against journalists; and
to highlight the issue of threats against freedom of the press in the annual Human Rights Reports and year round.