TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - CJFE launches its annual campaign to end impunity today. As a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) network, CJFE will be working to raise awareness of the global problem of impunity leading up to November 23, the International Day to End Impunity.
Each year, journalists are harassed, threatened, tortured, intimidated, jailed and worse for exercising their basic human right to free expression. In the past 10 years, more than 500 journalists have been killed. And in many countries around the world, this happens with impunity. The perpetrators of these crimes go free. In Canada, CJFE also remembers that the murder of Canadian journalist Tara Singh Hayer, on Nov. 18, 1998, remains unpunished.
We encourage Canadians to fight impunity by doing exactly what the perpetrators of these crimes don't want us to do - speak out. Speaking, writing, blogging, commenting on Facebook and tweeting - each action takes away a little bit of the power of impunity and brings us closer to seeing these crimes punished. In the weeks ahead, CJFE will be highlighting a number of cases where our actions can help ensure a journalist is not silenced for speaking the truth.
CJFE will end its campaign with a special event in Toronto - a screening of the film "A Bitter Taste of Freedom" a film about murdered Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya by filmmaker Marina Goldovskaya. Marina will be attending the screening and will speak afterwards in a conversation with Madeline Ziniak, National Vice-President, Rogers OMNI Television. The event will be held on November 22 at the Innis Town Hall.
About Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
CJFE monitors, defends and reports on free expression and access to information in Canada and abroad. Rooted in the field of journalism, we promote a free media as essential to a fair and open society. CJFE boldly champions the free expression rights of all people, and encourages and supports individuals and groups in the protection of their own and others' free expression rights.
For Event Information: http://cjfe.org/take_action/events/film-screening-bitter-taste-freedom
For Information about the International Campaign to End Impunity: http://daytoendimpunity.org/
Image with caption: "Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CNW Group/Canadian Journalists for Free Expression)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121101_C4335_PHOTO_EN_20045.jpg
SOURCE: Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
Julie Payne
CJFE Manager
416-515-9622 x.226
[email protected]
Amy Johnson
CJFE Program Manager
416-515-9622 x231
[email protected]
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