On Wednesday, former President Barack Obama spoke on Twitter about disinformation and the need for journalists to support democracy.
Obama had previously recorded the video for a late-April Columbia Journalism School conference on democracy.
Obama Foundation Supports Press Freedom
In the clip, he discussed the significance of journalism in the fight for democracy, as well as ways to combat disinformation and encourage journalistic efforts to defend the truth.
The Obama Foundation’s tweet, “Journalists have always been at the forefront of the fight for democracy,” was retweeted by Obama’s personal account. Therefore, we must keep fighting for the protection of press freedom everywhere. Grateful that @ColumbiaJournal and individuals like Jelani Cobb are undertaking this vital work.”
Journalists have always been at the forefront of struggles for democracy, as some of you bear the scars to prove it. And this is why it’s so important to find inventive means of revitalizing quality journalism.
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Journalists’ Current Challenges
In a video, Obama said, “We must continue to advocate for the rights of journalists around the world, many of whom face increasing dangers and obstacles for doing their job alone.” This is why we must keep fighting for the rights of journalists everywhere.
The previous head of state was also a strong supporter of defending democracy against issues such as inequality, polarization, and widespread disinformation.
Despite the fact that President Obama lauded journalists for their contributions to democracy, his administration has been criticized for carrying out unprecedented prosecutions of government sources and seizing the records of journalists.
Former Washington Post executive editor Leonard Downie Jr. wrote in a 2015 report on U.S. press freedoms under the Obama administration, In the Obama administration’s Washington, government officials are increasingly afraid to speak to the press.
Despite his past, Obama encouraged journalists to help save democracy in the video.
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