“At home and abroad, journalists like all of you engage in the dogged pursuit of informing citizens, and holding leaders accountable, and making our government of the people possible. And it’s an enormous responsibility. And I realize it’s an enormous challenge at a time when the economics of the business sometimes incentivize speed over depth; and when controversy and conflict are what most immediately attract readers and viewers. “The good news is there are so many of you that are pushing against those trends. And as a citizen of this great democracy, I am grateful for that. For this is also a time around the world when some of the fundamental ideals of liberal democracies are under attack, and when notions of objectivity, and of a free press, and of facts, and of evidence are trying to be undermined. Or, in some cases, ignored entirely. “And in such a climate, it’s not enough just to give people a megaphone. And that’s why your power and your responsibility to dig and to question and to counter distortions and untruths is more important than ever. Taking a stand on behalf of what is true does not require you shedding your objectivity. In fact, it is the essence of good journalism. It affirms the idea that the only way we can build consensus, the only way that we can move forward as a country, the only way we can help the world mend itself is by agreeing on a baseline of facts when it comes to the challenges that confront us all. “So this night is a testament to all of you who have devoted your lives to that idea, who push to shine a light on the truth every single day. So I want to close my final White House Correspondents’ Dinner by just saying thank you. I’m very proud of what you’ve done. It has been an honor and a privilege to work side by side with you to strengthen our democracy.”

— President Obama

We highlight the remarks made by President Obama last Saturday at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington.

The event, while known for its comedic “roast” style, turned sober when the president saluted the media and its role in our democracy.

His thoughts were an apt prelude to World Press Freedom Day, which was Tuesday, May 3. The annual designation, initiated by the U.N. General Assembly in 1993, celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom. It’s a time to pause and evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

More than 100 national celebrations take place each year to commemorate this day.

Around the world, 72 journalists were killed in 2015; 10 have been killed so far this year. From Syria to Somalia and Mexico, journalists have been murdered by governments and drug cartels alike simply for doing their job — informing the public.

While journalists working inside the United States don't face as harsh a threat as their foreign counterparts, there are other powers that push back against the press freedoms we take for granted in this nation, chiefly business pressures that reduce staffs and curb coverage or attempts to control what is covered and how.

We point out that the Richmond Free Press remains a rarity — an independently owned source of news and information in Greater Richmond. That gives us the freedom — and the power — to be unbossed and unbought in our news coverage and editorials.

Truth is a critical component of a real democracy and a free people. And unvarnished truth is vital. The serious and urgent issues now confronting our city, state and nation demand that the public be informed and engaged. A free and unfettered press helps to bring transparency and accountability to government and the other institutions that impact our lives.

We hope our readers will continue to value the Free Press and look to our publication as a source of truth and enlightenment. An enlightened community is a stronger community, with knowledge to face issues and bring about change.

We hope our readers will continue to support our efforts in forging democracy.