爆料公社

Journalism – an essential but dangerous profession

Journalism is fundamental for sustainable development, human rights protection and democratic consolidation, but remains a dangerous and too often deadly profession - and nine times out of ten, the murder of a journalist is unresolved.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s of Killed Journalists, more than 1,600 journalists have been killed since 1993.

Other threats against journalists, online and off-line, continue to grow, especially in non-conflict zones. Journalist imprisonment is at a record high, while online violence - -  and harassment spurs on self-censorship and, in some cases, physical attacks.

Journalists have also increasingly been attacked , by various actors, including both security forces and protest participants.

Numerous reports and studies confirm that threats inordinately affect and those who represent minority groups.

“Stop targeting truth and truth-tellers.
As journalists stand up for truth, the world stands with them.

ANT?NIO GUTERRES
Secretary-General Portrait

UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity

Aiming to create a free and safe environment for journalists and media workers, in 2012, the United Nations developed in a participative and multi-stakeholder manner the first-ever systematic to protect journalists, which brings together UN bodies, national authorities, media, and civil society organizations. The on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity addresses the fundamental aspects of prevention, protection, and prosecution.

The Plan was the result of a process that began in 2010 upon the request of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC). It was then endorsed by the Chief Executive Board of the United Nations and launched in Vienna at the 2nd UN Inter-Agency Meeting on the Safety of Journalists in November 2012.

The Plan calls for a coalition-based and holistic approach to its implementation, which is , as the UN specialized agency in the field of the promotion of free flow of information. It includes six areas: raising awareness; standard setting and policy making; monitoring and reporting; capacity-building and research. Thousands of activities at the global and country level have taken place to implement this Plan, as reflected in the dedicated .

The Plan's 10th Anniversary

The 10-year anniversary was a milestone to Reaffirm, Recommit and Reposition efforts to advance the UN Plan.

  • Reaffirm the relevance of the UN Plan of Action as the blueprint of all parties involved tasked with protecting the safety of journalists.
  • Recommit political will, purpose, and resources to advance the Plan’s objectives.
  • Reposition to increase impact on the ground, prevent attacks, protect journalists in danger and hold those accountable that are responsible for attacks against journalists.

The 10th anniversary has been an opportunity to take stock of its key achievements during this first decade of implementation, as well as to identify solutions to challenges that have arisen along the way. In this respect, UNESCO coordinated a multi-stakeholder consultative process involving regional and thematic to collect partners’ experiences in prom