3 May- World Press Freedom Day

Journalists in the line of duty. PHOTO:left - UNESCO/©Thomas Hawk; right - UN Photo/Evan Schneider.

​Baha’is exalt and honor the profession of journalism. Abdu’l-Baha, interviewed by Western journalists many times, said “We may ascertain the progress or retrogression of a nation by its journalism,” and “Journalists must write significant articles, articles that shall foster the public welfare. If they do so they will be the first agents for the development of the community.”

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Baha’u’llah urged every journalist toward justice:
In this Day the secrets of the earth are laid bare before the eyes of men. The pages of swiftly-appearing newspapers are indeed the mirror of the world. They reflect the deeds and the pursuits of diverse peoples and kindreds. They both reflect them and make them known. They are a mirror endowed with hearing, sight and speech. This is an amazing and potent phenomenon. However, it behoveth the writers thereof to be purged from the promptings of evil passions and desires and to be attired with the raiment of justice and equity. They should enquire into situations as much as possible and ascertain the facts, then set them down in writing. – Tablets of Baha’u’llah, p. 39.
The Baha’i writings envision a future with a unified system of world governance, where journalists are free to report their findings unhindered by any prejudicial economic or political power:
A mechanism of world inter-communication will be devised, embracing the whole planet, freed from national hindrances and restrictions, and functioning with marvelous swiftness and perfect regularity.… In such a world society, science and religion, the two most potent forces in human life, will be reconciled, will co-operate, and will harmoniously develop. The press will, under such a system, while giving full scope to the expression of the diversified views and convictions of mankind, cease to be mischievously manipulated by vested interests, whether private or public, and will be liberated from the influence of contending governments and peoples. – Shoghi Effendi, The Proclamation of Baha’u’llah, p. xii.
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