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Welcome Address
by Dr. Verena Metze Mangold
Vice-President, German UNESCO-Commission

Freedom of Speech is an essential condition for a well-functioning democracy. The media cannot contribute to the free formation of opinions amongst the public, cannot fulfil their role as Fourth Estate, without unfettered reporting. Journalists have to be able to report freely, they have to expose wrongdoings. Investigative journalism, being without doubt one of the most sophisticated forms of journalism, is particularly significant in that endeavour.

UNESCO is the only UN Agency holding a mandate to protect the human right of freedom of expression and freedom of the press. It is a difficult undertaking – and not only in autocratic societies.
Annually celebrating World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, UNESCO reminds of the necessity to support an independent and pluralist press and condemns breaches of freedom of the press. On this occasion the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize is awarded to journalists who displayed outstanding commitment and contributions to freedom of the press. Investigative journalists such as Mónica González Mujica, who reported about human rights violations under the Pinochet regime or Lasantha Wickremetunge, who exposed corruption committed by the Sri Lankan government have been honoured with the award in the past.

Nurturing investigate journalism is an imperative part of UNESCO’s activities regarding information and communication. Within the International Programme for the Development of Communication, UNESCO offers training courses in investigative reporting, e.g. UNESCO furthermore supports the work journalists all over the world by publishing a manual – in various different languages – regarding essential methods and techniques of investigative journalism. Quality-journalism has never an agenda – apart from the truth. Therefore: check and double-check. Always!

I am pleased to see that this year, the M100 Youth Media Workshop is dedicated to the particularly important task to introduce young journalists from all over Europe to investigative journalism and build their skills in this scope of work. I would like to wish the participants a successful workshop and excellent work results. And I am looking forward to meeting you.

   
 
 Dr. Verena Metze Mangold  
 

Niklas Luhmann