May 3, 2021 — One year ago, presidential candidate Joe Biden issued a World Press Freedom Day statement citing the “vital importance of journalism to upholding free and open democracies, both here at home and around the world.”

The statement noted: “It’s also a day to honor the journalists who dedicate their lives to advancing media freedom, at times braving immense pressure, sacrificing their livelihood or liberty, or even facing mortal danger to bring the truth to light.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Now comes the hard part.

President Biden faces formidable challenges to defending the universal right to self-expression: emboldened autocrats, diminished U.S. wealth and standing in the world, and a decade-long erosion of democracy around the world.  Journalists on the front lines of covering this “democracy recession” are also its victims. Independent news organizations have faced financial ruin, intimidation, violence, prison and shutdowns.

Yesterday, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken released a statement showing a clear understanding of what is at stake here. Once a student journalist and an intern at the New Republic, Blinken has been meeting with journalists and the heads of journalism organizations, including the National Press Foundation, to gather ideas about what can be done to defend those who provide citizens with the news and information that are essential to a functioning democracy.  We welcome his engagement, salute the hard work of our fellow journalism organizations, and offer a few ideas of our own:

First, Biden should use his bully pulpit to speak out against threats, arrests and harassment of reporters who are doing their jobs. This will have far more credibility if he also comments on disturbing trends at home.  According to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, 416 journalists were assaulted in the United States in 2020; 35 have been assaulted so far this year.  In 2020, 139 journalists were arrested or detained in the U.S., and 29 were detained in 2021. This is unacceptable.

A president can express dismay and inquire about restrictive laws or injustices — in Minnesota as well as in Moscow — while stopping short of direct interference.  By doing so, he can validate the central argument for media freedom: That an independent media improves every society by shining a light on failures and abuses so that mistakes can be corrected instead of repeated.

Tyrants will always arrange not to let truth be told — and not to hear it, either. Biden has shown himself willing to speak out about painful truths while arguing for civility. He could further in demonstrate the enduring power of the American ideal of freedom of expression by praising U.S. and international media when they report unwelcome truths with courage, accuracy and fairness.

Second, the president should direct the State Department to begin an active campaign of public and private diplomacy to advocate for the universal human right to free expression and particularly for media and internet freedom.

U.S. ambassadors should be instructed to raise the cases of jailed or persecuted journalists as a routine part of their private diplomatic engagements. U.S. embassies gather information for the annual human rights country reports, which have documented financial pressure, violence and intimidation against media. The Biden administration could also halt the tit-for-tat expulsions of foreign correspondents, even while speaking out against Chinese and Russian attempts to buy or intimidate international news organizations.

When journalists anywhere in the world are arrested for doing their jobs or murdered under color of law, it is important to say their names.  Biden should consider reviving the “Free The Press” campaign,” in which the State Department spokesman, from the podium, once called on countries to release specific journalists who were imprisoned, punished or disappeared for reporting the truth. In the long run, the respect Biden would earn by standing up for American values would outweigh the diplomatic friction such a campaign would engender.

A global democratic renaissance will require more than a free and financially viable media. But it won’t happen if citizens cannot access truthful reporting to counter the global torrent of disinformation and propaganda.

As for Biden’s 2020 promises: Efforts by leaders— in the U.S. or any other country — to live up to their promises can often be difficult. .

What heals a nation’s soul, however, is the willingness to try.