Toronto Mayor Rob Ford marked World Press Freedom Week on Monday night.

Ford gave a speech stressing the importance of the media but wouldn't speak to reporters after the speech.

"The day is also an opportunity to join with media professionals worldwide to reaffirm the need to respect press freedom and remember those who have lost their lives while on the job.” Ford said in his brief remarks.

World Press Freedom Day was marked on May 3 this year.

Thomas Saras, president of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada, said it is up to the mayor to decide "whom he's going to associate with or whom he's going to stay away from."

Saras said the relationships between politicians and media will always be strained.

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