The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has urged countries to ensure the safety of journalists covering protests, in accordance with international norms and human rights obligations.
The UN body said, in recent months, multiple journalists covering protests in different parts of the world had been subjected to various forms of attacks, including killings, injuries, arbitrary detentions and confiscation of their equipment.
It said: “UNESCO recalls that all authorities concerned have the duty and responsibility to ensure the safety of journalists covering protests around the world.”
In times of crisis, as in times of peace, journalists were crucial lifelines to verified information for citizens, UNESCO added.
They facilitate public debate and dialogue that are pathways to democratic solutions. Authorities must guarantee the safety of journalists covering protests, in line with international freedom of expression standards.
Within the UNESCO Series World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development, the agency has previously highlighted the growing risks to the safety of journalists covering protests (Issue Briefs in 2020, 2021and 2023).
Between January 2019 and June 2022, at least 759 journalists and media professionals were attacked during election periods in the context of 89 elections across 70 countries around the world.
About 26338 media workers were physically assaulted, including 9 who were murdered. 167 were arbitrarily detained. 123 were obstructed in their work. And 131 faced threats and intimidation.
As many as 320 attacked during election periods were targeted by law enforcement agents. 29 percent of attacked journalists (218) were women.
In the same period, 129 media outlets were attacked, ranging from threats and censorship to raids and arson, and even suspensions and forced closures.
A UNESCO report on the safety of journalists covering environmental issues published on World Press Freedom Day in May 2024, revealed 194 journalists, groups of journalists and media houses had been attacked in the context of environmental protests in the past 15 years.
UNESCO is monitoring attacks and threats against journalists that undermine their legitimate role of informing populations with accurate and verified information.
UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising and capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
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