The Honourable Karina Gould Minister of Democratic Institutions for World Press Freedom Day

Good morning/afternoon!

[If not already stated:

Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people.]

Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation.

For Canadians, those words are prescient.

Twenty-nineteen is an election year. Our democracy will be in the spotlight.

Our democracy will be tested.

En route to election day, media will play a prominent role in encouraging Canadians to be engaged and informed. Analyzing candidates. Dissecting political platforms. Providing readers, viewers and listeners with valuable background information.

This is crucial to a liberal democracy – particularly at this time, when disinformation is rapidly becoming the new normal.

When lines are increasingly blurred.

I want to take this opportunity to laud the efforts of media to present thoughtful, well-researched and informative reportage. To engage with citizens. To maintain the highest standards.

A free press is the heart of a strong democracy. Restrictions on freedom of the press are democracy denied.

In Canada, home to lively media expressing diverse voices, it is easy to take press freedom for granted. Yet, in nations around the world, that freedom – that pillar of democracy – continues to be challenged, and to be denied.

That is why, each year, we recognize May 3 as World Press Freedom Day. We recognize the fundamental human right of media to be free from political influence. We recognize the heroic efforts of journalists to chronicle our times. To call-out injustice. To stand up to corruption. To illuminate society’s darkest corners.

And to put themselves, sometimes literally, in the line of fire in order to do so.

The International Federation of Journalists reported that, in 2018, 94 journalists and members of media killed. Hundreds more were imprisoned or disappeared. So far, in 2019, we have seen journalists killed in Libya, in Ghana, in Honduras, in Mexico and, most recently, in Northern Ireland, with the death of Lyra McKee. Canadians Michelle Lang, Ali Mustafa, Zahra Kazemi and Tara Singh Hayer have died in the pursuit of truth.

In Myanmar, journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo continue to languish in jail. In Pakistan, Shazeb Jillian faces charges of cyber terrorism in relation to a tweet that called-out a military leader.

And all of us were moved by the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

Such can be the price of speaking truth to power. Of sharing the stories that the people need to see and hear.

At a time of disinformation, extremism and increasing polarization – a time of cyber threats and so-called ‘fake news’ – our media have never been more crucial to democracy.

In too many countries, improvement remains a goal that is out of reach – the editorial goalposts continually moved by authoritarian arbiters.

Yet, media persist. The truth continues to out.

Here in the National Capital Region, the importance of media – both social and traditional – has been demonstrated during recent crises, from tornados to floods. In times of disinformation, of division, media retain the power to unite.

During this election year, I thank our free, independent press for that continuing effort to bring Canadians together. For striving to be steadfast arbiters of truth. For your tireless work to provide Canadians with a trusted source as they prepare to head to the polls.

I thank you, once again, for speaking truth to power.

Thank you. Merci.