May 3, 2005 Ottawa -- To highlight World Press Freedom Day, dedicated this year to the theme of "Media and Good Governance," the Honourable Aileen Carroll, Minister of International Cooperation, today reiterated Canada's commitment to fostering independent and balanced media, to promote democracy and good governance around the world. "The press plays a crucial role in the good governance of democratic societies by promoting transparency and accountability," said Minister Carroll. "Canada works closely with media organizations to protect and to promote the fundamental rights of freedom of the press. Without these rights, democracy and development will remain inaccessible." The Canadian International Development Agency has funded a number of initiatives promoting freedom of the press over the years, more recently: an Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society (IMPACS) Media Support Project in Afghanistan, to ensure that women's issues are publicly discussed nation-wide ($2 million); Nepal Media and Democratic Strengthening, an IMPACS project to address deficiencies in key aspects of the Nepal media sector ($500,000); an IMPACS initiative in Iraq to assess the role of Iraqi media within Iraq and the Middle East and propose programming for ongoing collaboration with Canadian media to enhance, strengthen and further professionalize Iraqi and regional media ($500,000); Civil Society and Media Training Program in Sri Lanka, also an IMPACS initiative with the objectives to train civil society organizations to effectively utilize mainstream media and to conduct conflict sensitive reporting and balanced coverage training to local journalists and media outlets ($432,500), and; a Canadian Journalists for Free Expression initiative to provide infrastructure support and training, and help improve the quality of news coverage in Sierra Leone. The main focus of the initiative is the West African country's print media ($140,000). As stated in Canada's recent International Policy Statement (IPS), good governance is a basic requirement for peace, security and sustainable political and socio-economic development. Hence, supporting freedom of the press is an integral part of the IPS's strategic focus. - 30 - Information: Andrew Graham Director of Communications Office of the Minister of International Cooperation Telephone: (819) 953-6238 Media Relations Office Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Telephone: (819) 953-6534 E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca Web site: www.cida.gc.ca
