In a statement on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, which this Wednesday marks, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), welcomes all Angolan journalists, expressing their desire to work together to reinforce actions for freedom of the press.
The political force in power in Angola vehemently condemns all demonstrations that prevent journalists from carrying out their work in a free, plural and independent way, allowing citizens to form their opinion in a diversified way.
The Political Bureau also expresses its "antithesis" to "despicable acts of character assassination" and other forms of vilification of honor, good name and consideration for institutions and people, "which in no way endorse the climate of peace, harmony and reconciliation national".
Angola celebrates the World Press Freedom Day amid complaints and claims from professionals of the class about alleged acts of intimidation, threats, robberies in homes and persecution for carrying out the activity.
Several journalists have been the target of impediments to covering public activities, namely demonstrations, as reported in recent months by the Union of Angolan Journalists (SJA), which last December promoted a march for freedom of the press.
For the MPLA, the commemoration of the event should serve so that, unanimously, Angolans reaffirm the establishment of an environment of open and constructive dialogue, conducive to the consolidation of peace and the continuous deepening of democracy.
The MPLA also appeals to the whole of Angolan society, in order to celebrate the date, reflecting on the use and good use of information and communication technologies, placing them at the service of promoting citizenship and social responsibility, as well as in the exercise of journalism with content that promotes development.
In the statement, the MPLA also reaffirms its desire to see materialized by the Angolan executive the proposal to encourage the emergence of new independent means of communication, "that accentuate competition and plurality in the national information space".
It also exhorts the Angolan journalist class to remain firm and intransigent in the defense of their rights, as well as to be strict in respecting ethical and deontological duties, taking into account the importance of their role.
