[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 143 Reported in Senate (RS)]
Calendar No. 79
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 143
Recognizing the threats to freedom of the press and expression around
the world and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority in the
efforts of the United States Government to promote democracy and good
governance on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2013.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 16, 2013
Mr. Menendez (for himself and Mr. Rubio) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
May 22, 2013
Reported by Mr. Menendez, without amendment
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the threats to freedom of the press and expression around
the world and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority in the
efforts of the United States Government to promote democracy and good
governance on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2013.
Whereas Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
adopted at Paris December 10, 1948, states that ``everyone has the right
to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to
hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart
information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers'';
Whereas, in 1993, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 3 of each
year as World Press Freedom Day to celebrate the fundamental principles
of freedom of the press, to evaluate freedom of the press around the
world, to defend the media from attacks on its independence, and to pay
tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of
their profession;
Whereas 2013 is the 20th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, which focuses
on the theme ``Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All
Media'';
Whereas the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note;
Public Law 111-166), which was passed by unanimous consent in the Senate
and signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010, expanded the
examination of freedom of the press around the world in the annual human
rights report of the Department of State;
Whereas, according to Freedom House, the percentage of people in the world who
live in countries with a free media environment fell to 14 percent in
2012, the lowest percentage in more than a decade;
Whereas, according to Reporters Without Borders, 88 journalists and 47 citizen
journalists were killed in 2012 in connection with their collection and
dissemination of news and information, an increase of 33 percent and 840
percent, respectively, compared to 2011;
Whereas, according to Reporters Without Borders, the five deadliest countries
for journalists in 2012 were Syria, Somalia, Pakistan, Mexico, and
Brazil;
Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 593 journalists have
been murdered since 1992 without the perpetrators of those crimes facing
punishment;
Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the five countries
with the highest number of unsolved journalist murders since 2003 as a
percentage of the population of that country are Iraq, Somalia,
Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Colombia;
Whereas, according to Reporters Without Borders, 879 journalists and 144 citizen
journalists were arrested in 2012;
Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, there were a record
232 journalists in prison worldwide on December 1, 2012;
Whereas, according to Reporters Without Borders, the five countries in which the
most journalists are imprisoned are Turkey, China, Eritrea, Iran, and
Syria;
Whereas the abuse of anti-terrorism and cybercrime laws to incarcerate
journalists and suppress freedom of the press occurred on numerous
occasions abroad in 2012;
Whereas freedom of the press is a key component of democratic governance, the
activism of civil society, and socio-economic development;
Whereas, in the ongoing political transition of Burma, notable progress was made
in advancing freedom of the press in 2012, although certain problems
remain; and
Whereas freedom of the press enhances public accountability, transparency, and
participation: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) expresses concern about the threats to freedom of the
press and expression around the world on the occasion of World
Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2013;
(2) commends journalists around the world for the essential
role they play in promoting government accountability,
defending democratic activity, and strengthening civil society,
despite threats to their safety;
(3) pays tribute to the journalists who have lost their
lives carrying out their work and calls on governments abroad
to thoroughly investigate and seek to resolve all cases while
ensuring the protection of witnesses;
(4) condemns all actions around the world that suppress
freedom of the press;
(5) reaffirms the centrality of freedom of the press to
efforts by the United States Government to support democracy,
mitigate conflict, and promote good governance domestically and
around the world; and
(6) calls on the President and the Secretary of State--
(A) to improve the means by which the United States
Government rapidly identifies, publicizes, and responds
to threats against freedom of the press around the
world; and
(B) to highlight the issue of threats against
freedom of the press year-round.
Calendar No. 79
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 143
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the threats to freedom of the press and expression around
the world and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority in the
efforts of the United States Government to promote democracy and good
governance on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2013.
_______________________________________________________________________
May 22, 2013
Reported without amendment