The position of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) is expressed in a statement by the executive secretariat of the permanent committee of the political commission alluding to the World Press Freedom Day, which this Wednesday marks.
UNITA recalls that freedom of the press is enshrined in the Angolan Constitution, but says it notes with great concern the constant violations of fundamental rights and freedoms of journalists by agents and institutions invested with State power.
The permanent committee of UNITA's political commission considers that freedom of the press is one of the fundamental elements of the democratic State and the rule of law and condemns, "for this reason, the continuous manipulation, coercion, censorship and partisanship of the public media".
The party of the 'maninhos' also regrets, in its statement, the fact that its president, Adalberto Costa Júnior, "has never been invited by the state media paid for with public funds".
UNITA also salutes all media professionals and sympathizes with their struggle, "for a press truly independent of established power" and encourages them "not to let their guard down in the struggle for the valorization and dignity of the class" for the sake of of the country's development.
Angola celebrates World Press Freedom Day at a time when there are complaints from professionals in the class about alleged acts of intimidation, threats, burglaries and persecution for carrying out their activities.
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.
The political association, founded by Jonas Savimbi, also urges the State authorities to "put an end to persecution against journalists, political leaders and civic activists, censorship, coercion and arbitrary arrests, for exercising their constitutionally enshrined freedoms".
UNITA's governing body also considers the role of the media to be fundamental for the "consolidation of democracy and national reconciliation", defending "respect for freedom of expression and of the press, which are for democracy, like blood for the human organism".
