Madame President,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The entire world has been watching in dismay at the rising militancy, extremism, violence and instability in Pakistan today. Durable democracy does not come easily in such circumstances, and these conditions have created enormous challenges for a functioning, independent and free press.

We all know the dangers facing news media in Pakistan, which has become one of the world’s most deadly places for journalists. Eight have been killed there since the beginning of the year. Reporting on the Afghan-Pakistan border and the Swat Valley has exposed many more journalists to death threats and forced them into silence or exile, thus undermining accurate, independent and timely reporting in the region. The threats, attacks and other forms of pressure have become a daily occurrence, and they come from all sides: from the Taliban and other militant groups, which target reporters for opposing or reporting unfavorably about them, and from Pakistani security forces, which have long pressured journalists who don’t follow the government line. I personally know what I’m speaking about, since one of our World Editors Forum Board members, my friend Imtiaz Alam, general secretary of the South Asian Free Media Association, has been victim of this violence.

Najam Sethi has managed to anger both the extremists and the government authorities, merely by doing his job, and this is at the heart of why WAN-IFRA is honouring him today with its Golden Pen of Freedom award - for carrying out his role as an independent journalist, for reporting and investigating all sides equally, and for being a voice of moderation, despite the continuous threats and constant danger he faces.

This award, which has been presented annually since 1961, recognises individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the defence and promotion of press freedom. Mr Sethi is joining a select group of laureates that have been persecuted for exactly those actions for which they should be celebrated. These men and women, courageous journalists all, should be embraced by their societies, not prosecuted, jailed, attacked, or worse.

As Editor-in-Chief of The Friday Times and of The Daily Times, Mr Sethi is known for his strong condemnation of autocracy and religious fundamentalism. Needless to say, he has many enemies for his unwavering and courageous support for a secular and liberal Pakistan.

Mr Sethi works and lives under constant guard. The Taliban have threatened to kill him if he doesn’t repent and change his editorial policies. Here is how Mr Sethi describes the situation -- and I quote -- "Extremists have always used coercion to silence their critics and that is exactly what is happening now. This is a battle that the media, and the country cannot afford to lose." Unquote.

Mr Sethi has also been attacked by the Pakistan government, and was beaten and jailed in 1999 for reporting on corruption by high government officials. Again, this is the legitimate role of an independent journalists -- to act as watchdog and draw attention to wrongdoing. For this, he was charged with "anti-national activities." Fortunately, the charges were dropped and Mr Sethi was released after a month in prison after the international community brought pressure on the government to release him.

But it isn’t only physical violence, death threats or pressure that threaten Mr Sethi. In order to continue fulfilling his role, his newspapers must survive as businesses, and it has become increasingly difficult to do so.

Here is how Mr Sethi puts the situation: Quote - "There is no such thing as editorial freedom without commercial viability. Economic viability has become an issue too." Unquote. He says that the worldwide financial crisis has had a direct impact on revenues so, as he says: "The choice between fierce editorial freedom and the welfare of my staff is a heartbreaking reality. In the ultimate analysis, editorial freedom cannot come on the back of an empty stomach or loss of jobs. The commercial challenge must be squarely faced. Editors must be managers too in the modern age."

Ladies and gentlemen, I think it’s fair to say that all of use in the newspaper industry share Mr Sethi’s concerns. The traditional role our newspapers play are under threat by the same economic forces facing Mr Sethi’s publications. And the stake for our societies is just as great. In order for the independent press to fulfill its role in democratic societies, they must survive as businesses.

In presenting the Golden Pen to Mr Sethi today, we in the international media community express our solidarity with all independent Pakistani journalist, who despite difficult conditions, remain among the most outspoken in South Asia. Mr Sethi and his colleagues should be free to practice their profession in safety, without government interference, and under economic conditions in which they can thrive.

In making this award, WAN-IFRA and the World Editors Forum call on the Pakistani authorities to take all necessary measures to end the violence against journalists and the impunity enjoyed by those who order and carry out their execution, to secure a safer environment for journalists and commit to uphold international standards of freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Ladies and gentlemen, I would now like to call Mr Sethi to come forward to accept the 2009 Golden Pen of Freedom.