Britain celebrates World Press Freedom Day

British Foreign Secretary William Hague has commemorated the 20th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, calling for better protections for journalists working in war zones. “We all owe a debt of gratitude to the courageous journalists who risk imprisonment, injury and death to report from repressive countries or conflict zones around the world,” Hague said in a statement on Friday. “And I also pay tribute to the increasing number of ‘citizen journalists’ who use social media to provide ground truth about what is happening in other countries, who often face pressure and intimidation.” Hague’s statement comes as journalists continue to die in war zones such as Syria. Fourteen media staff have already died in the war-ravaged country since the beginning of 2013.