WATCH: USAGM celebrates World Press Freedom Day with joint video honoring journalists

Washington, D.C. — In celebration of World Press Freedom Day, USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett, Voice of America Acting Director John Lippman, Radio Free Asia President & CEO Bay Fang, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty President & CEO Stephen Capus, Office of Cuba Broadcasting Director Sylvia Rosabal, Middle East Broadcasting Networks Acting President & CEO Jeffrey Gedmin, and Open Technology Fund President Laura Cunningham issued the following video statement honoring journalists and celebrating press freedom.

“Access to fact-based, objective information is a basic human right – but unfortunately, in many places, press freedom still isn’t a given,” said USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett. “That’s why today, and every day I stand alongside my colleagues in solidarity with all the brave, resilient journalists who courageously report the truth, often while facing extraordinary challenges.”

The joint statement kicks off a weeklong celebration of journalist excellence, punctuated by USAGM’s 23rd annual David Burke Distinguished Journalism Awards next Friday. The annual awards ceremony celebrating courage, resilience, and journalistic excellence will be livestreamed on USAGM.gov at 10 a.m. ET on Friday, May 10.