President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to continue to safeguard the country’s media freedom, as the world celebrates World Press Freedom Day, on Monday.

Celebrated on May 3 annually, World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, following the adoption of a recommendation at the 26th session of Unesco's general conference in 1991.

South Africa recently ranked 32 in media freedom, compared with 180 other countries.

Last week, Reporters without Borders published its 2021 World Press Freedom Index assessing global media freedom. The index describes the state of media freedom in South Africa as "guaranteed but fragile".

Ramaphosa pointed out that the South African media had played a pivotal role in uncovering much of what the country knows today about the true extent of State capture.

He added that the country’s media sustained its reporting despite intimidation, disinformation and attacks on their person.

“As we conclude Freedom Month, we recall how far we have come from the days where social protest by artists attracted banning orders, and critical reporting by journalists risked imprisonment or the closure of publications,” Ramaphosa said.

He said a robust media was more critical than ever as the country rebuilt its economy and society during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The report revealed that journalism is "totally blocked or seriously impeded" in 73 countries and "constrained" in 59 others. During the Covid-19 pandemic, media freedom deteriorated, with the various restrictions put in place having seemingly been used to curtail media activity in several places.

Ramaphosa said credibility was key to sustaining trust between journalists and the public, and warned that if the media was to remain true to its responsibility to support democracy, journalists must continue to report without fear or favour.

“Their sustained coverage must include gender-based violence, crime in our communities, and social ills like substance abuse. Our media should provide accurate and impartial information, enabling the public to make informed decisions, to access opportunities and to improve their lives,” he said.