Press Releases
Video message by Parliamentary Vice-Minister Suzuki at the Ministerial Meeting of the World Press Freedom Conference 2020
December 10, 2020
On December 9 starting at 11:30 p.m. for approximately two hours and half, the Ministerial Meeting of the World Press Freedom Conference hosted by the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands was held online and Mr. SUZUKI Hayato, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, sent a video message to the meeting.
- At this meeting, the participating countries discussed the freedom of Media and the safety of journalists, which are one of the important norms of democracy and are threatened under the spread of Covid-19.
- In this message, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Suzuki expressed that while we are still facing serious challenges to contain the spread of Covid-19, Japan firmly continues to hold an unwavering belief that access to transparent and reliable information is essential and that ensuring the rights of the media and journalists must be properly protected under any circumstances. In addition, he stated that Japan shares a concern with the international community about the violation of these human rights and continues to encourage all stakeholders to improve the situation. Moreover, he explained Japan’s concrete project with UNESCO for the prevention of impunity and safety of journalists by reinforcing the capacities of judges and judiciary members in African countries.
- Ministers from more than 54 countries participated in this meeting and reiterated the importance of close cooperation for the freedom of Media and the safety of journalists.