GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC) – The Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) on Tuesday urged regional decision-makers to utilise the rapid advances in social media as a mass communication tool to facilitate the two-way flow of information on all public interest subjects that touch and concern the many facets of human rights.

“The ACM takes a dim view of the increasing practice of decision-makers, especially those in the political sphere, who have resorted to one-way communication through Tweets and Facebook video and text posts,” the regional media grouping said in a statement marking World Press Freedom Day.

It said this approach appears to be a clear avoidance of scrutiny at press conferences and interviews.

“We urge an end to such a practice that robs the public of details that will potentially allow them to make rational decisions. These deficiencies in freedom of expression are leading to dysfunctional societies,” the regional media group added.

The ACM said that the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights,” throws the spotlight on the invaluable role of the freedom to receive and impart ideas.

It said 2023 also marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the mandate of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights

It said freedom of expression is not only enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but is listed as a fundamental right in many of our constitutions in the Caribbean.

“World Press Freedom provides an opportunity to focus on the immense importance and connection of freedom of expression to all other human rights such as education, health, freedom of movement, rest and leisure, and the free will of the people to elect their leaders,” ACM said.

“In the absence of freedom of expression, more often than not through the media, the public cannot be properly educated and informed about the other human rights to which they are entitled,” ACM warned.

The ACM said that with the proliferation of social media and all its attendant ills of misinformation and disinformation, the ACM’s unwavering position is that there is invaluable space for journalism as means of freedom of expression.

“Professionally practiced to ensure accuracy and fairness; journalism is the only conduit to cultivate the public as change agents for transparency, good governance and accountability,” the ACM said, urging media workers across the Caribbean “to be vigilant and guard against new laws, regulations and practices that violate the tenet of freedom of expression”.