Pete Seeger & World Press Freedom Day

On the World Press Freedom Day (May 3), Sri Lankan journalist Nalaka Gunawardene chose to pay a warm tribute to Pete Seeger, the American folk singer and a pioneer of protest music, who turned 90.

Gunawardene wrote: “Since media freedom is inseparable from the democratic rights to dissent and protest, I will devote this blog post to salute Pete and his many decades of music for worthy causes — ranging from the American civil rights movement and opposing the Vietnam war to saving the environment and nuclear disarmament.

“Pete is a hero for at least three generations of music lovers and freedom lovers around the world who believe in human rights, human dignity and democratic freedoms.

“Armed with nothing more than his banjo and melodious voice, and driven by the courage of his conviction, this small, gentle man has stood up to mighty leaders, generals and officials.

“For someone like Pete Seeger who sang alongside Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., and other civil rights movement leaders and activists, it must have been deeply moving to be able to sing at the concert to mark President Barack Obama’s inauguration on 20 January 2009 at the Lincoln Memorial.”

To read Nalaka Gunawardene’s blog please click here…

For an appreciation by NPR please click here…