Accra, May 3, GNA - The European Union (EU), on Thursday commended journalists for working courageously as they go through highly precarious conditions to provide independent information in the interest of the public.

In a statement to mark the World Press Freedom Day, the EU said censorship and harassment of editors, writers, journalists or bloggers are unacceptable.

The Union, therefore, condemned the use of violence and state-induced arrests inflicted upon journalists in some countries.

The EU appealed to all countries to guarantee the safety of journalists, and to allow them to carry out their vital role of reporting and commenting on events in an independent manner without fear of violence and recrimination.

The statement quoted Catherine Ashton who on behalf of the EU, said: 'Freedom of expression as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human rights entails everyone's right to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

'On the occasion of World Press Freedom day, the European Union recalls these principles and pays tribute to all those who fight for the respect of freedom of expression and for free, pluralistic press and other media'.

She said freedom of expression also extended to the internet and other media outlets, and the EU was firmly opposed to any unjustified, disproportional restrictions of access to or use of these media.'

GNA