December 12, 2003	Friday	Shawwal 17, 1424

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 11: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday called for an end to abuses of press freedom worldwide.

Respect for media freedom must accompany efforts to expand the Internet, even though the press will continue to be regulated in some nations, Mr Annan told worldwide broadcasters.

“But when they go further, down the slope toward censorship and harassment, all of us — and potentially our rights — are imperilled,” Mr Annan said at the opening session of the World Electronic Media Forum.

The media forum has drawn 360 organizations from 112 countries.

Organizers said major US networks had been invited but had declined to attend.