World Press Freedom Day

May 3 was World Press Freedom Day, established by the UN's General Assembly 17 years ago to highlight violations of the right to freedom of expression, and to serve as a reminder that many journalists risk death or jail in attempting to exercise that right.

Freedom of expression is recognised in international law and guaranteed in many national constitutions, but too many governments make it a right that is impossible to exercise.

Each year more than 2,000 people fleeing persecution are referred for help to the MF. Their numbers include journalists, writers, students and political campaigners who have fallen foul of the authorities at home for attempting to express their views openly.

Here, journalists and artists from the UK speak out in defence of free speech while MF clients recount how they were treated for voicing their opinions.

Reeta Chakrabarti

"I'm very lucky to live and work in a climate where I am not told what questions I can and cannot ask," says BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti.

Adnan: Iraqi journalist

As a young man in northern Iraq, Adnan supported the Kurdish guerrilla movement against the regime presided over by Saddam Hussein, and saw at first hand the horrors of the Anfal campaign which claimed the lives of thousands of Kurds. He turned to journalism to voice his dissent.

Andrew Motion

Since accepting the post of Poet Laureate in 1999, Motion has become a self-styled "can opener", refusing to pull his punches in voicing his criticism of the war in Iraq. "There's nothing that is off limits for poetry," he says.

Jean: Cameroon campaigner

Growing up in Cameroon, Jean D was always aware that his family lived under a dark weight of memories. When he set out to expose a forgotten genocide, he was hounded by the military, his business was destroyed and he was tortured.

Nick Harper

Singer-songwriter Nick Harper makes no secret on stage of his political bug bears and preoccupations, whether it is the present situation in Iraq, or our obsession with materialism.

"I am lucky enough to live in a country where you are able to have your voice heard, even if it is then ignored by the powers-that-be...

"YH": Ethiopian journalist

"YH" was writing for an independent newspaper in the Ethiopian capital Adis Ababa in the run up to the 2005 elections. While the international community hailed the elections as the country's "freest and fairest", "YH" was one of a number of journalists imprisoned for criticising the government. 

Shazia Mirza

Female Muslim comic Shazia Mirza says she never set out to break any taboos, but she was determined to highlight the farcical elements she found inherent in political debate.

"I've been to countries where freedom of speech is limited but I never feel inhibited..."