The un Secretary-general message to the Eurasian media forum 21st April 2005

All of us rely on the media as an agent of free expression, as a defender of human rights, as an instrument of development, and as a means of rousing the world’s conscience. By the same token, challenges facing the media are challenges that concern us all.

Gatherings such as this conference are thus important opportunities to reaffirm the world’s commitment to the independence of the media, to the right of the press to do its job, to ensuring that journalists are able to do their vital work in safety and with integrity -- as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Unless ideas and information can travel freely, both within frontiers and across them, peace will remain that much more elusive. Where restrictions are imposed, both democracy and development are the losers.

Conversely, a vibrant, free and independent press is the lifeblood of a strong, functioning society, and a lifeline to progress itself. All of us must be vigilant in upholding those principles. In that spirit, I thank you all for your commitment, and wish you a most stimulating forum.