In a message alluding to World Press Freedom Day, shared today on his official Facebook account, João Lourenço congratulates all professionals in the sector "for the commitment and dedication they have shown in carrying out the mission of informing with truth, impartiality and responsibility".
For the head of state, ensuring freedom of the press throughout the country "is a path of no return".
"We recognize the power of the media in the fight against corruption and impunity, in the promotion of social well-being and in the formation of opinions that allow the taking of assertive political decisions", wrote João Lourenço.
Angola celebrates World Press Freedom Day at a time when there are complaints and complaints from professionals of the class about alleged acts of intimidation, threats, robberies in homes and persecution for the exercise of 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.
National journalists this Wednesday asked for "freedom, ethics and dignity" in carrying out their activity, considering that free journalism "is the only one capable of being at the service of democracy", lamenting the current social condition of professionals, especially in the private sector.
The framework for the exercise of journalistic activity in Angola was also presented this Wednesday by the secretary general of the Union of Angolan Journalists (SJA), Teixeira Cândido, at the opening of the 1st National Conference of Journalists, taking place in Luanda.
