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Media freedom essential for democracy: UK envoy

Unb, Dhaka
British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson yesterday said freedom of expression and media are essential qualities of any functioning democracy.
"As Bangladesh continues its journey to middle income status, it is vital to allow space for a vibrant civil society, through which the people - especially young people - can channel their energies, and indeed their frustrations, within the law," he said.
The British envoy made the remarks at "DCAB Talk" organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the auditorium of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BUSS).
DCAB President Raheed Ejaz and General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib also spoke at the event.
The High Commissioner said people must be allowed to discuss and debate issues
freely, to challenge their governments, and to make informed decisions.
The diplomat said the UK is committed to media freedom and the protection of journalists across the world and will be cohosting the "Global Conference for Media Freedom in 2019".
The conference will be the first of its kind and will take place on July 10 and 11 in London.
The conference, the High Commissioner said, will look at four areas - national frameworks and legislation, protection and prosecution including impunity, building trust in the media and countering disinformation, and media sustainability.
Dickson said six journalists and media activists from Bangladesh are attending this conference.
The Bangladesh high commissioner in London will also be attending the event.
The envoy said the conference will shine a spotlight on media repression, and build a coalition of governments committed to a stronger diplomatic response when media freedom is curtailed.
"Our co-host Canada is developing a pledge, which we hope participants will sign up to so that they can protect journalists and defend media freedom in their countries," he said.
"In the end we all face a choice. Ignore the threats, and we tolerate the stifling of independent voices and the dangers of unaccountable power. But defend outvalues, and nations will flourish from the free exchange of ideas,” he added.