ARUSHA, July 15 -- UNESCO Assistant Director General of Communication and Information, Dr Tawfik Jelassi, has stated that the establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development and sustainability of democracy.

He expressed it while addressing the second Pan-African Media Councils Summit in Arusha yesterday.

Dr Jelassi noted that trust in media is being tested as development in technology is transforming how information is produced, shared, disseminated and used.

He highlighted that freedom of expression and access to information face growing pressure worldwide.

“In this context, we must remember the 1991 Windhoek Declaration which insisted that the establishment...