Intensified Attacks, New Defences: Developments in the Fight to Protect Journalists and End Impunity

"Identifying and analyzing trends can help propose adequate action-oriented and coalition-based responses." - Moez Chakchouk, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) points out that abuses against journalists affect the ability of the media to impart information to the public and undermine the foundations of freedom of expression. This In-Focus edition of UNESCO's World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development assesses trends in safety of journalists around the world over 5 years (2014-2018) and provides a yearly update on the status of journalist killings. The aim is to encourage multi-stakeholder dialogue on further strengthening the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

UNESCO data indicate that the period between 2014 through the end of 2018 saw 495 journalists killed, which represents an 18% increase in the number of killings as compared to the preceding 5-year period (2009-2013). While in 2014 a majority of journalist killings occurred in conflict regions, in 2017 and 2018 more killings (55% in both years) occurred outside conflict regions. This trend reflects the changing nature of violence against journalists, who were increasingly silenced for reporting on issues of corruption, crime, and politics. Although the majority of journalists killed are men, killings of women journalists almost doubled relative to the previous 5-year period (24 female journalists were killed in 2009-2013, compared to 46 in 2014-2018). Only 131 cases of journalists' killings reported by Member States have been resolved since 2006, representing an overall impunity rate of 88%.

The study also examines the evolution of threats against the profession - notably, online attacks and harassment, which disproportionately affect women journalists. The rise in anti-media rhetoric in populist political discourse across regions has reportedly contributed to decreased public trust in journalists and media workers. This has created a more hostile environment for journalists in many countries, and in some cases has also paved the path for laws curtailing freedom of expression and reduced protections for journalists and their sources.

Nevertheless, the report highlights a growing commitment to protect the media through the establishment or strengthening of mechanisms to monitor, prevent, and prosecute attacks on journalists and protect those facing threats. Relevant portions of the report look at:

• Member States' responses, including actions and good practices reported by Member States to promote safety of journalists and to combat impunity (e.g., monitoring crimes against journalists, protecting journalists against attacks, investigating and prosecuting crimes against journalists, undertaking multi-stakeholder approaches, raising awareness and strengthening international norms, and broadening guarantees relating to freedom of expression and press freedom)
• Global cooperation on safety of journalists, including: international networks and initiatives to enhance the safety of journalists (on the part of intergovernmental organisations, the United Nations (UN), Member States, civil society, academia, media organisations, and the judiciary) and the creation of national mechanisms on the safety of journalists
• Initiatives to monitor the safety of journalists, including: Member States reporting on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.10.1 in their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), shadow reporting on SDG 16.10.1 (undertaken by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other civil society actors to supplement or provide alternative information to government reports), and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations to Member States on the safety of journalists

Annually, over the 2014-2018 period, global recognition of the specific issues affecting women journalists has been increasing. Per UNESCO, new political commitments at the international and regional levels highlight the need for a gender-specific approach for the safety of journalists. Growing awareness has led to more initiatives by governments, NGOs, and civil society to counter gender-based threats to women journalists. In fact, a number of Member States have reported on actions to bring a gender-sensitive approach to the protection of journalists, to understand and counter discriminatory stereotypes of women journalists, and to develop strategies to mitigate particular safety issues facing them.

Overall, as portions of the report highlight through various examples, there is momentum to strengthen programmes and increase resources to promote the safety of journalists and to tackle impunity through multi-stakeholder engagement and coordination, capacity-building initiatives, and research and monitoring efforts.