To further advance this commitment to a free and independent media, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada will join the United Kingdom to co-host a media freedom conference in London on July 10 and 11, 2019.

“In any democracy, journalists must have the ability to report facts freely, to defend, expose and advance the truth without fear of retaliation, reprisal, violence or imprisonment. Canada will always defend this right. We are very pleased to co-host this conference with the United Kingdom, and we look forward to joining all participants in London later this year.”

- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

• Over the last 12 years, UNESCO has recorded over 1,000 killings of journalists worldwide. Impunity for killings of journalists remains extremely high.

• During the Paris Peace Forum of November 2018, Canada joined several other countries to support the International Declaration on Information and Democracy. In his remarks, the Prime Minister underscored that no real democracy can exist without freedom of the press.

Associated links

• Minister Freeland marks World Press Freedom Day
• Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs on International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
• Prime Minister concludes his visit to France

Adam Austen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Adam.Austen@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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