S. Res. 609 (Introduced in Senate) — Recognizing widening threats to press freedom and free expression around the world, and reaffirming the vital role that a free and independent press plays in combating the growing threat of authoritarianism, countering misinformation and disinformation, documenting human rights abuses, informing local and international audiences about public health crises, and furthering discourse and debate to advance healthy democracies, in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2022.

That the Senate—

(1)

declares that a free press—

(A)

is a central component of free societies and democratic governance;

(B)

contributes to an informed civil society and government accountability;

(C)

helps to expose corruption;

(D)

enhances public accountability and transparency of governments at all levels; and

(E)

disseminates information that is essential to improving public health and safety;

(2)

expresses concerns about threats to the exercise of freedom of expression, including by the press, around the world;

(3)

recognizes and commends journalism’s role in providing trusted, accurate, and timely information and in holding governments and leaders accountable to citizens;

(4)

is dismayed that, under cover of the COVID–19 pandemic, many governments have restricted the work of journalists reporting on the public health crisis and on peaceful protests on a variety of issues;

(5)

pays tribute to journalists who made tremendous sacrifices, including the loss of their lives, in the pursuit of truth and justice;

(6)

condemns all actions around the world that suppress press freedom;

(7)

calls for the unconditional and immediate release of all wrongfully detained journalists;

(8)

reaffirms the centrality of press freedom to efforts of the United States Government to support democracy, mitigate conflict, and promote good governance domestically and around the world; and

(9)

calls on the President and the Secretary of State—

(A)

to preserve and build upon the leadership of the United States on issues relating to press freedom, on the basis of the protections for freedom of the press afforded the American people under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States;

(B)

to transparently investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of attacks against journalists; and

(C)

to promote the respect and protection of press freedom around the world.

Cite this provision

Incoming references