Guterres_ I am horrified and dismayed by the large number of journalists killed in the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza_

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: I am horrified by the large number of journalists killed in the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza. Guterres added in a message he sent today on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day: The United Nations recognizes the valuable work done by journalists and media workers to ensure that the public is informed of current issues and involved in them. He continued in his message: We will not be able to combat misinformation and disinformation without facts, and we will not have strong policies without accountability. We will not enjoy any form of freedom if there is no freedom of the press. Freedom of the press is not an option, but rather a necessity. The Secretary-General of the United Nations appealed to governments, the private sector and civil society to join the efforts of the United Nations in reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding press freedom and the rights of journalists and media professionals throughout the world. Guterres poin ted out in his message that the world is going through an unparalleled environmental emergency today that threatens the present generation and future generations in their entirety, and since people need to know this fact, journalists and media workers have a major role in educating them and providing them with the information they need. He explained that local, national and international media are able to shed light on events related to the climate crisis, loss of biodiversity and environmental injustice. Thanks to their work, people have become aware of the bad condition the planet is going through and have become empowered to help them mobilize efforts and work for change. He pointed out that media workers also contribute to documenting manifestations of environmental degradation, and provide evidence of environmental sabotage, thus helping to hold those responsible accountable. Guterres said: It is not surprising that some powerful people, companies and institutions are doing everything in their power t o prevent journalists interested in environmental issues from doing their work. He stressed that freedom of the media is suffering from siege. Journalism specializing in environmental issues has become a profession that is increasingly dangerous. Over the past few decades, dozens of journalists who were confronting illegal activities related to mining and logging, as well as illegal fishing and other issues, have been killed in their Environment work, and no one is held accountable for that in the vast majority of cases. He pointed out that legal procedures are often being exploited to censor, silence, detain and harass reporters concerned with environmental issues, at a time when a new era of climate disinformation focuses on undermining proven solutions, including renewable energy. The Secretary-General of the United Nations stressed that media workers in many cases risk their lives trying to provide us with news about everything that is happening, starting with wars and ending with democracy. Source: National Iraqi News Agency