Freedom of the press is essential to a strong civil society and a healthy democracy. A free press informs and educates the public, provides a check on power and the abuse of power, and gives voice to the persecuted.

Citizens must have the ability to express themselves, to debate alternative ideas and to challenge assumptions. A media that is independent from the state allows the peaceful expression and competition of ideas, on which democracy depends.

On World Press Freedom Day, we recognise the important contributions of a free press and honour the sacrifices of those who have risked their lives and their fortunes for the sake of a free press.

Every day, brave men and women around the world risk harassment, beatings, detention, imprisonment and even death for exposing the truth. The instruments of repression include libel laws, government control of the media, self-censorship, restriction of the Internet, and sharp declines in numbers of independent press outlets.

In his second inaugural address, President Bush said, "The policy of the United States is to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture." He asserted that while "we had no intention of imposing our own style of democracy on other nations, we do seek to help others find their voice, attain their own freedom, and make their own way". Without a free and vibrant press a nation cannot find its voice and become a flourishing democracy.

We vigorously promote media freedom as a core component of our diplomacy and our assistance programmes because a free press is essential to democracy. We do this by calling attention to efforts to restrict freedom of the press, by supporting the rights of independent producers and broadcasters, and through training for journalists, editors and media managers.

We also support professional exchanges and civic education programmes that strengthen an independent media. For those who have difficulties gaining access to free information, we provide material assistance for the production of radio and television programmes.

Expanding Internet freedom is a crucial part of our strategy, and we have created a Global Internet Freedom Task Force to address the crackdown on free expression on the Internet in many closed countries.

This support is making a difference. Whether it is through strengthening regional broadcast media activities in Russia, working with the EU to break the regime's suppression of information in Belarus, providing technical assistance, training and legal support to journalists and TV stations in Kazakhstan, supporting an independent media in Iran, or highlighting the need for China to allow its people the right "to speak freely", we let those struggling for a free society know that they are not alone. The world is watching.

We will continue to champion the cause of freedom of the press. We ask all responsible nations to do the same. Together our efforts are making a difference.

Brenda LaGrange Johnson is United States ambassador to Jamaica.

The fear factor

Feeding the multitude

DANGEROUS PETS