#media workers

Communiqué par Société de journalistes de France 24

"Nous avons appris avec la plus grande consternation le refoulement de notre consœur Alice Froussard, journaliste à

-69 were killed in action while serving the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

-"Russia has killed 89 media workers since February 24, 2022. 11 died while reporting, 78 died as combatants or were killed by Russian shelling or torture."

Today and every day, we are grateful to the journalists and all media professionals who risk their health and lives to keep us informed, and to keep the truth alive.

On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we call on all States to prevent violence against journalists, to provide a safe environment for them to go about their jobs, to bring to justice those who commit crimes against journalists and media workers, and to ensure support for victims and survivors.

"For three decades, on World Press Freedom Day, the international community has celebrated the work of journalists and media workers. This day highlights a basic truth: all our freedom depends on press freedom. Freedom of the press is the foundation of democracy and justice. It gives all of us the facts we need to shape opinions and speak truth to power. And as this year’s theme reminds us, press freedom represents the very lifeblood of human rights. But in every corner of the world, freedom of the press is under attack. Truth is threatened by disinformation and hate speech seeking to blur the lines between fact and fiction, between science and conspiracy. The increased concentration of the media industry into the hands of a few, the financial collapse of scores of independent news organizations, and an increase of national laws and regulations that stifle journalists are further expanding censorship and threatening freedom of expression. Meanwhile, journalists and media workers are directly targeted on and offline as they carry out their vital work. They are routinely harassed, intimidated, detained and imprisoned. At least 67 media workers were killed in 2022 — an unbelievable 50 per cent increase over the previous year. Nearly three quarters of women journalists have experienced violence online, and one in four have been threatened physically. Ten years ago, the United Nations established a Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists to protect media workers and end impunity for crimes committed against them. On this and every World Press Freedom Day, the world must speak with one voice. Stop the threats and attacks. Stop detaining and imprisoning journalists for doing their jobs. Stop the lies and disinformation. Stop targeting truth and truth-tellers. As journalists stand up for truth, the world stands with them".

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The safety of journalists is an essential condition for the realisation of the universal, inalienable right to freedom of expression and of the media, as stipulated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human rights and democracy are only guaranteed if journalists can carry out their work freely and without fear for their safety. However, they risk their lives every day, especially in conflict situations. They are increasingly exposed to political persecution, online violence, intimidation and surveillance.

This year, by 1 September, 61 journalists from 26 countries have already lost their lives because of their job, 10 of them while working to cover the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Between 2006 and 2021, more than 1,200 journalists were killed, with those responsible going unpunished in almost 9 out of 10 cases.

The 2012 UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists contains concrete measures to strengthen the safety of journalists and combat impunity.

To mark its tenth anniversary, the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs is organising a high-level conference entitled "Safety of Journalists: Protecting media to protect democracy". The conference will take place in Vienna on 4 November 2022 in a hybrid format, in cooperation with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Foreign ministers, key stakeholders from international organisations, civil society and academia will convene at Palais Niederösterreich to:

Enhance the implementation of the UN Plan of Action, prevent attacks, protect journalists at risk and hold accountable those responsible for attacks on journalists.

Increase the political commitment and resources towards improving the safety of journalists and express this commitment in concrete pledges.

In preparation for the conference, UNESCO is organising regional and thematic consultations in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America and the Arab Region. Building upon the findings of these consultations, selected representatives of the stakeholders will develop concrete recommendations on 3 November 2022, and present them to the high-level participants on 4 November.

While participation in presence is limited and will be open for government delegations, international organisations, members of civil society organisations and the media, there will be an opportunity to follow the high-level conference via webcast. For more detailed background on the context and the objectives of the conference, please refer to the concept note and the draft programme.

The Registration Platform is now open. Please complete your registration by 26 October 2022 00:00 CET.

Delegations of Governments and International Organisations 

Civil Society Organisations, Journalists, NGOs, Academics and Students 

Press Accreditation 

Preparatory Process and Pre-Conference on 3 November 2022:

In preparation for the conference, UNESCO is organising regional and thematic consultations in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America and the Arab Region. Building on the findings of these consultations, selected representatives of the stakeholders, especially of civil society organisations, academia, journalists and students will gather in Vienna on 3 November 2022 for a Pre-Conference to develop concrete recommendations for improving the implementation of the UN Plan of Action. It is organised by the Civil Society Coalition on Safety of Journalists.

These recommendations target five issue areas in working group sessions:  i) Tackling Impunity, ii) Safety of Female Journalists/Gender-Specific Attacks, iii) National Protection Mechanisms,  iv) Monitoring of Attacks and  v) Technology and Accountability.

The findings will be presented to the participants of the High-Level Conference on 4 November.

For more detailed information on the working group sessions, please refer to the draft programme.  

Registration for the Pre-Conference