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Transcript/ScriptBlinken-Press Freedom
HEADLINE: Blinken Calls Out Russia, China for Repressing Press Freedom
TEASER: The US secretary of state marked World Press Freedom Day Tuesday, while singling out Russia and China for censoring independent media outlets.
PUBLISHED AT: 5/3/22 at 735p
BYLINE: Cindy Saine
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Feeds
PRODUCER: Barry Unger
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, AP SR
VIDEO SOURCE (S): MRT State, Reuters, AFP, AP
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:24
VID APPROVED BY: Jepsen
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken marked World Press Freedom Day Tuesday, calling out Russia and China and the Taliban government in Afghanistan for attacks on journalists and freedom of the press. VOA’s Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports.))
((NARRATOR))
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States has a vital stake in promoting a free press, both at home and abroad, as the United States and the international community marked Press Freedom Day.
((Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State))
“The free flow of information, ideas, opinions — including dissenting ones — is essential to an inclusive and tolerant society. A vibrant independent press is a cornerstone for any healthy democracy.”
((NARRATOR))
During Tuesday’s remarks at the Washington Foreign Press Center, Blinken called out China’s leaders for misusing technology to increase surveillance, harassment, intimidation and censorship. He also singled out the Taliban leaders in Kabul.
(Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State))
“In Afghanistan, the Taliban have systematically repressed the Afghan independent press, particularly women journalists and those working in rural areas. According to a survey conducted at the end of 2021, 40 percent of the media outlets in Afghanistan have closed since the Taliban takeover.”
((courtesy Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty))
((NARRATOR))
Blinken said there are also new threats, such as Russia’s war in Ukraine, which killed Vira Hyrych, a journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a sister network of VOA, on April 28.
((end courtesy))
The top U.S. diplomat was also asked about Washington Post columnist and prominent Russia opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza, who had been living in the United States but recently returned to Russia and was arrested outside his home for “disobeying police.”
(Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State)
“We urge Russia to cease the abuse of repressive laws to target nonviolent organizations and individuals as well as journalists. The Russian people, like people everywhere, have a right to speak freely. They have the right to form peaceful associations to common ends. They have the right to exercise freedom of expression and to have their voices heard through free and fair elections."
((NARRATOR))
Blinken noted that Kara-Murza and other Russians now risk 15 years in prison simply for calling Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by its name, “war,” instead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s sanctioned term, “special military operations.”
Cindy Saine, VOA News
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington D. C.
Embargo DateMay 3, 2022 20:57 EDT
BylineCindy Saine, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
