Journalists gather information and investigate facts in order to say THE STORY. Stories have a purpose: to inform people so that they check on their government and decisions taken in their name, as well as to make important decisions about their lives and what kind of society they want to live in. Press freedom is an important pre-requisite for the media to resume the role of watchdog of the work of the authorities.

Free, pluralistic, vibrant and independent media is an important prerequisite of good governance. The measure of the freedom to write, to research, to make story is measure of our freedom. Informed citizens make informed political choices about the way they wish to organize their political life. The pluralism of the press is an essential element of the pluralism of political choices. An independent media is the bridge that helps society move from the role of passive citizenry to dynamic actor in the decision making process.

However, one of the greatest challenges for the functioning of journalism is fear: fear of sanctions, punishment, imprisonment, death. Violence against journalists and impunity for those who commit it are the two biggest threats to media freedom in our world today and not only in the Balkans. To perform the function of fourth estate, journalists cannot operate in an atmosphere of fear.

Media freedom is both a symbolic and measurable indicator of the quality of democracy in societies where we live. We should never take this freedom for granted. It should be defended constantly and vigorously throughout our lives. Without it, voices of the citizens will be marginalized. Without it, freedom of the citizens will be curtailed.