Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday marked World Press Freedom Day, saying that the members of free press are the "guardians of democratic values and ideals."

"Today, on World Press Freedom Day, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting the fundamental principles of a free press around the world," the top U.S. diplomat said in a statement.

"We honor those men and women who work tirelessly, often at great personal risk, to tell the stories we would not otherwise hear. They are the guardians of democratic values and ideals," he added.

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Tillerson maintained that the U.S. has a "strong track record" of protecting and advocating for the freedom of the press worldwide. He noted that the State Department "offers development programs and exchanges for media professionals, supports the free flow of information and ideas on the internet, and provides the tools and resources needed to keep journalists safe."

"Ethical and transparent media coverage is foundational to free and open societies. It promotes accountability and sparks public debate. Societies built on good governance, strong civil society and an open and free media are more prosperous, stable, and secure," he said.

The Trump administration, however, has frequently been critical of mainstream news organizations, with President Trump labeling several outlets and newspapers as "fake news" for what he perceived to be unfair or biased coverage.