THE THREAT TO JOURNALISTS
UNESCO S S ROLE UNESCO UN specialized ili agency with ihamandate to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image and an important player in the defense of freedom of expression, press freedom and freedom of information, also through the promotion of the safetyof ft f journalists and the fight against timpunity. it General Conference of UNESCO adopts Resolution 29 (1997) condemns violence against journalists and calls on its Member States to prevent, investigate, andpunish crimes against journalists. Since then, the Director General publicly condemns each killing of journalist, media worker and now also social media producers. The Medellin Declaration (2007) calls on Member States to focus on securing the safety of journalists and combating impunity in both conflict and non conflict situations, in addition to the Belgrade Declaration (2004), which focused on supporting media in violent conflict zones and countries in transition.
UNESCO S S ROLE The International Programme for the Development of Communication i (IPDC) is concerned with developing media capacities in the field, and since 2008 it has encouraged Member States to submit, on a voluntary basis, information on the status tt of the judicial i inquiriesi i conducted d on each of the killings condemned by UNESCO to include in a public report submitted every two years to the IPDC Council by the Director General. Awareness raising activities WorldPress Freedom Day (3 May) Guillermo Cano/ UNESCO World Press Freedom Pi Prize the prize is intended d to honor a person, institution, or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the defense and promotion of press freedom.
Why create the UN Plan of Action? Need for a comprehensive, coherent and action oriented approach to the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity worldwide. Overall Objective: Create a free and safe environment for journalists and media workers in both conflict and non conflict situations, offline and online, with a view to strengthening peace, democracy and development worldwide. How? Establishing a UN inter agency mechanism to co ordinate issues related to the safety of journalists, strengthening partnerships with states, regional bodies, the media, NGOs, civil society, as well as assisting countries to develop legislation and mechanisms favorable to freedom of expression and information and supporting their efforts to implement existing international standards.
Short History The UN Plan of Action is the result of a process that began in 2010 with 39 UNESCO Member States upon request of the Intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) There have been two UN Inter Agency meetings on the Plan of Action Paris, 2011 Vienna, 2012 The UN Plan was approved by the UN Chief Executive Board on 13 April 2012 Countries implementing the UN Plan of Action: Nepal, Iraq, Pakistan, SouthSudan Sudan
Principles cpesof the UN Plan of Action 1. Joint action to enhance system wide efficiency and coherence 2. Building on the strengths th of different agencies to foster synergies and avoid duplication 3. A results based management approach 4. A human rights based approach 5. A gender sensitive approach 6. A disability sensitive approach 7. Incorporation of the safety of journalists and the struggle against impunity into UN broader p y j gg g p y development objectives
Principles cpesof the UN Plan of Action 8. Strategic partnerships beyond the UN system with various international, regional and local organizations dedicated to the safety of journalists and media workers 9. A context sensitive, multi disciplinary approach to the causes of threats to journalists and impunity 10. Indicators for monitoring and evaluating the impact of interventions and strategies (Journalists Safety Indicators)
Proposed Actions 1. Strengthen UN Coordination Mechanisms Establish focal points within the UN actors and a coordinated d inter agency mechanism Incorporate safety and impunity in UN strategies at country level Promote freedom of expression, safety and impunity issues within the wider UN development agenda Strengthenth office of UN High Commissioner i for Human Rights, aswell as mandate dt and resources of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, and of the Special Rapporteurs on Extra judicial Summary or Arbitrary Executions, Violence Against Women and Torture.
Proposed Actions 2. Cooperating with Member States Assist Member States to develop laws and mechanisms guaranteeing freedom of expression and information Assist Member States to fully implement existing internationalrules and principles p Encourage Member States to take an active role in the prevention of attacks against journalists, and taking prompt action in response to attacks Encourage Member States to comply fully with UNESCO General Conference Resolution 29 and condemn violence against Journalists
Proposed Actions 3. Partnering with Other Organizations and Institutions Reinforce collaboration between UN agencies and other intergovernmental organizations Strengthen partnerships between the UN, civil society organizations, professional associations, media, NGOs Build momentum to the issues in conjunction with the International Day Against Impunity (23 November) and the InternationalAnti Corruption Day (9 December)
Proposed Actions 4. Raising Awareness On the importance of FOE and the dangers that impunity for crimes against media professionals represents for freedom and democracy Journalists, media owners and policy makers on existing international instruments and conventions, as well as various existing practical guides on the safety of journalists General public on the importance of the safety of journalists and the consequences of restricting journalists freedom of expression. Encourage journalism schools to teach safety and impunity issues Disseminate good practices on the safety of journalists and counteracting impunity
Proposed Actions 5. Fostering Safety Initiatives Urging all stakeholders, and in particular the media industry and its professional associations, to establish general safety provisions for journalists Developing accessible, real time emergency response mechanisms for groups and media organizations Sensitizing news organizations, media owners, editors and journalists on the dangers confronting their staff, particularly those faced by local journalists Strengthening provisions for the safety of journalists in conflict zones
What is the first step towards the local implementation of the UN Plan of Action? Identify your country s needs the need for legislation l i to protect freedom of expression, whether h for media professionals, bloggers or ordinary citizens. the need to implement legislation and improve institutional capacity to do so. the need to decriminalise laws like criminal defamation. the need for crimes against freedom of expression to be investigated and the perpetrators prosecuted. the need for safety related training for media professionals, media owners, lawmakers, police forces, lawyers. the need for a safety fund for journalists in danger. the need for a network of lawyers for media professionals. the need for specific training for female media professionals. the need for national sensitization campaign. the need for dialogue with all relevant stakeholders and harmonisation of activities.
HOW?
UNESCO Journalists Safety Indicators (JSI) Why Apply the Journalists Safety Indicators? JSI identify significant matters that have impact upon the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity at the national and international levels. JSI will help assess the extent to which journalists are or are not able to carry out their work under safe conditions. JSI will determine whether adequate follow up is given to crimes committed against journalists (perpetrators p identified and brought to justice). JSI serve to identify the actions that are taken by the various relevant stakeholders in promoting journalists safety and fighting impunity at national level. JSI assessments can be used to help the country concerned to develop a national strategy on safety, and to guide the interventions of stakeholders active in the national space through providing information that helps actors to identify priorities.
UNESCO Journalists Safety Indicators (JSI) Background JSI are a way of assessing progress against the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. JSI are not intended as a universal model, rather as a tool to measure relevant aspects related to issues concerning safety of journalists. JSI have been designed to be applied at both international/ regional and national levels. JSI do not distinguish between different categories of journalists. Anyone involved in the provision of news or information must be protected. JSI are sufficiently generic to be applied in war and conflict situations, as well as in less violent situations. Time framework for JSI application: At least 2 months of work by a full time expert (this may vary from country to country).
UNESCO Journalists Safety Indicators (JSI) International Level The indicators allow for assessment of the actions of the various actors and institutions concerned at international level, whether regional or global, that have direct impact upon journalists safety. Three major categories of actors: A. UN Organizations B. International and Regional Intergovernmental Organizations C. International Non governmental Organizations For each actor, the context and main issues are briefly outlined. y Under each section, a range of key indicators and concrete sub indicators are given. Various means of verification are suggested for the indicators, sometimes combined with data sources.
UNESCO Journalists Safety Indicators (JSI) National Level The indicators allow for assessment of the actions of the various actors and institutions concerned at the national level, that have direct impact upon journalists safety. Four major categories of actors: A. UN and other intergovernmental bodies operating directly in a country B. State and political actors C. Civil society and academia D. The media and intermediaries For each actor, the context and main issues are briefly outlined. For each actor, the context and main issues are briefly outlined. Under each section, a range of key indicators and concrete sub indicators are given. Various means of verification are suggested for the indicators, sometimes combined with data sources.
TAKING ACTION How can you support and contribute to the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity? Raise awareness in your organization on the existence of the UN Plan of Action. Tell us what your organization is doing in the area of media and safety issues and how your work can enrich the UN Plan of Action. Share with us good practices information. Encourage your civil society, business, governmental partners to take up the issues and be involved. Apply the Journalists Safety Indicators at the national or international/regional i i llevelsl
TAKING ACTION How can you support and contribute to the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity? Identify ways in which your organization can collaborate with UNESCO or other UN agencies. Is there any issue, related to safety of journalists and issue of impunity where your agency/ department could take the lead? Provide the name of a contact person in your organization to who we can send information on the UN Plan of Action.
Resources: Safety of Journalists http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication and information/freedom of expression/safety of journalists/
Resources: Existing Safety Mechanisms for Journalists Hotlines International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Assistance for Journalists on Dangerous Assignments +41 79 217 32 85 Reporters without Borders (RSF), SOS Presse +33 1 4777 7414 Front Line Defenders Emergency Hotline for Human Rights Defenders +353 (0) 1 21 00 489 *Human rights defenders in need of urgent assistance can also email Front Line through a secure and encrypted channel via info@frontlinedefenders.org
Resources: Insurance and Emergency or Safety Funds Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l Homme created an emergency defense fund for those activists whose own human rights were in danger. This fund aims to allow for a rapid and efficient response to requests for help from human rights defenders when they are threatened or persecuted. More information available at http://www.aedh.org/agir Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) provides assistance to get medical care for journalists, supporting journalists forced to go into hiding or to relocate, legal funds, evacuating journalists at risk, providing support for families and imprisoned journalists. Due to the high volume of requests, CPJ is not able to respond to every request. All applicants are asked to complete CPJ's assistance request form available at http://cpj.org/campaigns/assistance/cpj_journalist_assistance_questionaire.pdf Doha Centre for Media Freedom s Emergency Assistance provides direct support, within its means, to journalists who urgently need help, as a result of their work including medical aid and legall support. More information is available at assistance@dc4mf.org, Twitter: @DCMF_emergency, telephone: +974 6652 0553, and fax: +974 4421 3718
Resources: Insurance and Emergency or Safety Funds Frontline Club Fixers Fund is a special project to raise money for the families of media fixers (the people who help organize coverage logistics for the actual journalist). This fund is for those killed or injured around the world while working with the international media. More information could be obtained by contacting: mail@frontlineclub.comcom Front Line Defenders Security Grants can pay for organisational and personal provisions to improve the security and protection of a Human Rights Defender (HRD) and his or her organisation, to improve physical security of an organisation, digital security, communication security, legal fees for HRDs who are being judicially harassed, and medical fees for HRD. More information at http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/security grants programme International Federation of Journalists Safety Fund provides immediate financial relief to a particular journalist and is part of the Safety Programme of IFJ. For more information please contact: ernest.sagaga@ifj.org Th PEN E F d t td it d it i il d i ll The PEN Emergency Fund supportspersecuted writers and writers inexile and occasionally their families with a non recurrent allowance to support themselves in a critical emergency. More information can be obtained at http://www.penef.org/brochure.asp.
Resources: Insurance and Emergency or Safety Funds Reporters Respond Emergency Fund provides direct assistance to journalists and media outlets, enabling them to resume work as quickly as possible when faced with local obstruction. Support is provided irrespective of the medium and the area covered by the journalist or outlet. More information is available by contacting: +31 638820516, +31 356254300 or reportersrespond@freepressunlimited.org. it d Reporters without Borders (RSF) in partnership with April International Canada (formerly Escapade Travel Insurance) offers competitively priced coverage to freelance reporters including a short term plan and an extended plan. Membership with RSF is mandatory in the purchase of this insurance. More information can be obtained by emailing: insurance@rsf.org, assurance@rsf.org The Rory Peck Trust for Freelance Newsgatherers and their Families provides financial assistance to freelance newsgatherers worldwide, and to the families of those who have lost their lives, been seriously injured or are suffering persecution, exile or imprisonment as a result of their work. More information could be obtained by calling the Trust directly at Tel: + 44 (0) 20 3219 7860 or email: info@rorypecktrust.org. Walkley Foundation s Media Safety and Solidarity Fund is supported by donations from Australian journalists and media personnel to assist colleagues in the Asia Pacific region through times of emergency, war and hardship. More information available at http://www.walkleys.com/contact us.
Resources: Good Practices, Guides, Manuals & Toolkits Handbook for Journalists.Reporters Without Borders and UNESCO UNESCO Model Curriculum for Journalism Education. See module on Safety and Journalism. CPJ Journalists Security Guide Covering the News in a dangerous and changing world. Frank Smyth, Committee to Protect Journalists A survival guide for journalists.ifj Charter for the Safety of Journalists Working in War Zones or Dangerous Areas (2012). Reporters Without Borders Conflict Sensitive Journalism, a Handbook by Ross Howard JournalismSafety Guide, BBC
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