The Unesco  appointed renowned journalist Christiane Amanpour as the goodwill ambassador for freedom of expression and journalist safety.

Unesco director-general Irina Bokova named the CNN international correspondent Amanpour “in recognition of her efforts to promote free, independent and pluralistic media, having the right to work free from the threat of violence, and contributing through this to peace, sustainability, poverty eradication and human rights”.

“In the most challenging situations, addressing the most demanding interlocutors integrity and courage have always guided you, with the conviction that freedom of expression, media freedoms are essential for stronger societies, for healthier democracies, for peace and reconciliation as well as sustainable development,” said Bokova in a statement.

“We need to defend these principles more than ever today, at a time when they are challenged across the world,” she added.

In her acceptance speech, Amanpour stressed on the important role of journalists as “pillars of reform, freedom and democracy” whose task was to “strengthen civil society”.

“We are here to make the world a better place,” she said.

She also made an impassioned plea for the release of all imprisoned journalists, wherever they may be, and condemned the increasing number of attacks and assassinations of media professionals.