Security Of Press Freedom

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27678, 7 June 1955, Page 8

Security Of Press Freedom

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, June 5. The freedom to speak and print should not be assumed to be completely secure anywhere in the world, says the Council of the Commonwealth Press Union in its annual report today. "Month by month throughout the year, the council has studied reports of incidents concerning the freedom of the press in all pqrts of the world (outside the Soviet countries), and its conclusion is that nowhere should freedom to speak and print- be assumed to be completely secure,” says the report. “In its monthly reports during the last year, the council has noted more or less disturbing incidents in these Commonwealth countries: Australia, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Singapore, Southern Rhodesia, Uganda, Zanzibar, Cyprus and Hong Kong.” • The statement says that outiside the Commonwealth, 17 countries, other than the Soviet group, have figured in the council’s reports during the last year.

“Notably absent from these black lists are the United Kingdom and the United States, no doubt owing to the immediate and fierce reaction that can be counted upon in both countries against any threat to its freedom of the press,” 4?ays« the report.