61 journalists killed

The United Nations estimates that 61 journalists were killed while carrying out their work in 2014.
This has been revealed by Maher Nasser, the Director of the Outreach Division in the UN Department of Public Information as media fraternity marked the World Press Freedom Day on Sunday.
The day is marked annually to celebrate the contribution of media workers to promoting free speech and democracy.
Nasser says as conflicts rage around the world journalists, editors and publishers are increasingly experiencing harassment and sometimes even deadly attacks.

Meanwhile, despite the constitutional provision that guarantees freedom of expression, there are Contradicting laws in place and official actions that take away those guarantees.
The observation has been made by Dr. Peter Mwesige, the Executive Director of the African Centre for Media Excellence.
He says despite the fact that Uganda’s media seems to be dynamic; this is not entirely the case, arguing that there should be an environment that enables the media to be at its best.
He however notes that compared to other African countries, Uganda is in a much better place in as far as the promotion of press freedom is concerned.

In a related development, the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has commended the media for playing a crucial role in disseminating important information regarding its work in the war torn country.
As the media fraternity marked the World Freedom Day, AMISOM appealed for sustained dissemination of information that enhances peace and stability.
In a statement, AMISOM also pays tribute to the journalists in Somalia who have lost their lives in the course of their work and pledges continued support to the media to facilitate an environment in which they can operate freely.