OHCHR and the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity
About safety of journalists and human rights
Freedom of the media is essential to enable democratic, free and participative societies. Journalists and the media are crucial to ensure transparency and accountability for public and governmental authorities. Yet media freedom and the safety of journalists are under threat around the globe.
In recent years, OHCHR has observed a decline of media freedom in all regions. Various factors demonstrate this decline, including persisting attacks on journalists, on-line and offline, particularly of women journalists; increasing detention of journalists; the use of defamation laws and laws to curb on-line expression; the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Laws (SLAPPS) against journalists; and the targeting of journalists by surveillance technologies.
OHCHR's work on safety of journalists
OHCHR is mandated to promote and protect the effective enjoyment by all of all human rights. This includes the right to freedom of expression, including media freedom, and other rights of journalists and media workers. OHCHR's work on these issues includes the following:
- Implementing General Assembly and Human Rights Council mandates on the safety of journalists;
- Implementing, jointly with the UNESCO and via a wide consultation process, the UN Plan of Action on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity, as well as co-chairing with UNESCO the United Nations Network of Focal Points on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity;
- Monitoring and reporting on violations against journalists;
- Raising awareness, including through public statements and letters, on individual cases and on media clampdowns;
- Engaging with Member States, international and regional organizations and civil society organizations on media freedom and safety of journalists;
- Organizing and participating in conferences, roundtables and events related to media freedom and safety of journalists, including the World Press Freedom Day and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists;
- Training journalists, journalists’ associations, civil society organizations, government officials, law practitioners, and security forces on international standards applicable to media freedom and the safety of journalists;
- Providing technical advice, including through OHCHR country and regional presences, on setting up and operating specific protection mechanisms for journalists;
- Engaging with relevant Human Rights Council special procedure mandates and human rights treaty bodies on media freedom and the safety of journalists;
- Reporting under SDG indicator 16.10.1 as custodian agency.
Latest reports
Activities
Panel discussion on the safety of journalists in crises and emergencies and the legal drivers behind impunity
12 November 2024
Side event “From laws to abusive litigations: the various faces of the legal harassment of journalists”
04 October 2024
Side event “Turning justice against freedom of expression"
4 May 2024
Panel discussion on Legal Threats to Safety of Journalists
2 November 2023
Expert Seminar on legal and economic threats to the safety of journalists
25 April 2023
UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity