USA launched a protection program on Tuesday journalists around the world from legal threats aimed at silencing critical voices.

This was stated by Samantha Power, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Reporters Shield program in a campaign dedicated to World Press Freedom Day at the United Nations.

“Many independent media outlets cannot afford to be prosecuted, so they are forced to shut down or censor themselves so as not to attract the attention of those who might attack them,” he said. “Corrupt politicians know it alland that is why they enjoy more and more legitimacy.”

USAID added that it plans to work with Congress to provide up to $9 million for the program.

“To counter the attacks of justice, journalists and the media need strong protectiontraining on how to avoid lawsuits, resources for hiring lawyers and covering court costs,” Power said.

In accordance with USAID and Reporters Shield to Partner Program and Organizations will pay an annual fee depending on factors such as the location of the medium and the number of articles produced per year.

On the other hand, on Tuesday, the Mexican government introduced the Facing Freedom campaign, organized in cooperation with the United Nations and the European Union, which aims to protection of human rights defenders and journalists.

Representative of the Government of Mexico, Jesus Ramirez Cuevas, that human rights defenders and journalists give voice to those who have been victims of violations of their rights.

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Ramírez Cuevas believed that society should be more involved in the defense of rights. “It is important to work together with others, to give support and to break the selfishness and individualism that sometimes prevails in society, to reach out to those who need it, to lay down their body, to defend a cause such as freedom and the defense of life“.

Ramirez Cuevas noted that human rights activists and journalists protect collective rights.

(According to information from Reuters and Aristegui news)