We make no apologies today for allocating a page which would normally be packed with local news to supporting World Press Freedom Day. There are some who would claim that the press in Britain already has enough freedom, and too often abuses it.

But without freedom of the press, we would all inhabit a darker, more dangerous world in which most of our lives would be under the control of ruthless, perhaps faceless, individuals with no checks and balances on their morals, principles and activities.

Freedom of the press is freedom of the people. We represent every individual in every community. Those countries where the press is not free are far less safe and civilised than those in which journalists are able to shine a light into dark corners to expose crime, corruption and hypocrisy.

The Prime Minister fully accepts that, despite often being on the receiving end of strong press criticism himself. In our report he admits that any passing embarrassment or justified indignation felt by politicians over their treatment by the press must never blind them to its vital role in both the health and protection of democracy.

Many journalists have lost their lives in the interests of press freedom. Others suffer imprisonment and torture for criticising their governments - like Sudanese editor Bushra Said, who is now safe in West Yorkshire and able to explain what life is like in a country where freedom of the press is cruelly suppressed.

Critics of British journalism would do well to read his comments and take a moment out of their hectic lives to ponder on the positive contribution that the press makes to their continuing well-being.