BILL ANALYSIS �
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SJR 22|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SJR 22
Author: Simitian (D)
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
SUBJECT : World Press Freedom Day 2012
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution recognizes May 3, 2012, as World
Press Freedom Day 2012, and encourages all state
legislatures throughout the United States to recognize May
3, 2012, as World Press Freedom Day 2012, thereby also
acknowledging the importance of a free press in the United
States and the world.
ANALYSIS : This resolution makes the following
legislative findings:
1. Section 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
passed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948,
proclaims that "�e]veryone has the right to freedom of
opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to
hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive
and impart information and ideas through any media and
regardless frontiers"; and in 1993, the United Nations
declared May 3rd of each year as World Press Freedom
Day.
2. According to Freedom House, a nonprofit organization
with consultant status at the United Nations, press
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freedom is now in decline in almost every part of the
world and only 15 percent of the world's citizens live
in countries that enjoy a free press.
3. The growing influence of Internet reporting is being
injured by censorship of Internet Web sites and
imprisonment of online editors, bloggers, and web-based
reporters in different countries throughout the world.
4. A free press within California and throughout the world
plays a key role in sustaining and monitoring a healthy
democracy, contributing to greater accountability in
government, and promoting civic participation and
economic development.
This resolution declares that the Legislature recognizes
May 3, 2012, as World Press Freedom Day 2012, to commend
all journalists around the world for their essential role
in promoting accountability in government and strengthening
civil society, to show respect for journalists who stay
committed to their profession despite numerous personal
threats to their safety, and to remember those journalists
who have lost their lives in the exercise of their
profession.
This resolution further declares that the Legislature
condemns any action against the exercise of a free press
and reaffirms the importance of a free press in California
and the United States.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
AGB:kc 3/28/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: NONE RECEIVED
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