Maseru - The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, David Kaye, and Rights experts from around the world joined forces to highlight the growing threats to media independence and diversity. In a joint declaration, they emphasised the essential role of an independent media in democratic societies, and expressed grave concerns about physical attacks on journalists, surveillance, and marginalisation of independent outlets around the world. In a press statement issued by the UN, Mr. Kaye was quoted as saying “free and independent media facilitate democratic institutions and accountability, while attacks on journalists and journalism undermine the very idea of public participation and governmental accountability”. “Attacks on journalists are deplorable and state authorities must do more to prevent them. “These attacks stem, in part, from increasingly irresponsible framing of journalists as enemies of the state by political and business leaders, but are also aimed at deterring investigative reporting in the public interest. “All those committed to independent and diverse media must join together, now, to stop such attacks,” the Special Rapporteur said. In addition to physical attacks, he said those acting on behalf of the state threaten journalism on political, legal, and technological fronts while they abuse public resources by placing advertisements only with friendly outlets, and assert financial or other forms of control. The Joint Declaration on Media Independence and Diversity also urged governments to promote media independence and diversity, emphasise fundamental norms of human rights law, and meet their obligations. They also called on the media and private internet companies to take steps to ensure that independent media can continue to play a central role in democratic societies. Lena