New Delhi, May 3, IRNA -- Two prominent media associations in South Asia Thursday urged the governments in the region to ensure freedom of press and free flow of information in their countries

In a statement on the World Press Freedom Day, South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) and South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) said the governments in the region should commit themselves to supporting and expanding press freedom and free flow of information in this digital age.

'Freedom of expression is a precious right that bolsters every other freedom and provides a foundation for human dignity. Free, pluralistic and independent media is essential for exercising this right,' SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam and SAMC President Kumar Ketkar said.

They said the new media have enabled people to bring about massive social and political transformations.

'Yet media freedom is fragile, and it is also not yet within the reach of everyone. Furthermore, as more reporting is transmitted online, more and more online journalists, including bloggers, are being harnessed, attacked and even killed for their work,' they said.

In South Asia, 185 journalists have been killed since 1992 for their work. Pakistan tops the list with 58 victims followed by India 39, Afghanistan 28, Sri Lanka 25, Bangladesh 18 and Nepal 17.

Violence and censorship against journalists are a threat to democracy and limit their ability to work freely. Press freedom and freedom of speech must be protected and promoted, Alam and Ketkar said.

The theme of World Press Freedom Day this year is 'New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies'