Twelve years have passed since journalist Daniel Pearl was brutally murdered on camera in Pakistan. In remembrance of his death, the Daniel Pearl Foundation, UCLA in partnership with Hillel hosted the annual Daniel Pearl Memorial Lectures on Feb. 23.

The annual lecture feature speakers who are prominent in journalism or international affairs. This year featured United Nations (UN) Ambassador and foreign correspondent Samantha Power, who discussed the actions being taken in order to protect international journalists and the importance of America’s freedom of press.

In other countries, freedom of press is a luxury, not a right. In Ethiopia, in order to publish written work you are required to obtain a government secured permit, and in China all media content is monitored by the government, she told the audience.

“Each day we have access to a wealth of information and commentary,”  Power said. “We shouldn’t take that for granted because surprisingly one in six media (from around the world) can’t be described as free.”

In 2013, over 210 journalists were imprisoned around the world and over 70 of those were murdered. The UN has worked toward lowering the number of journalists attacked by creating liaisons, including one with Russia, to protect journalists.

“(Daniel Pearl) was a reporter doing his job as best he could,” Power said. “That is all and that is everything.”

The lecture was concluded with a question and answer session where audience members, including UCLA students and other guests, asked Power questions ranging from her views on LGBT rights to the conflicts in Syria.