Rights of Journalists: Safety Concerns and Worsening Conditions for Free Media Around the World by Kristopher Chapman

World Press Freedom Index

kchap2001 — 2024-12-08 23:14:11 UTC

The 2023 World Press Freedom Index lays out the conditions for journalists in 180 countries, and looks at trends regarding states' regard for the freedom of expression. Notably, conditions over the passed decade have grown worse almost everywhere with only 8 countries having a "Good situation" for journalists. In comparison, 2013 shows 26 countries with a "good situation." The page also explains the growing trend of fake content, and its active use by political actors engaged in disinformation campaigns.

OHCHR on Media Freedom in Afghanistan

kchap2001 — 2024-12-08 23:22:28 UTC

The UN, in their call for Afghanistan's authorities led by the Taliban to protect media freedom, explains the falling conditions for journalists in Afghanistan. The article explains that the Taliban has imposed restrictions on media by restricting criticism. Journalists face harassment, detainment, and torture for criticism of the de facto authorities.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Article 19

kchap2001 — 2024-12-08 23:36:37 UTC

Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights explains that everyone has the right to an opinion, and the freedom of expression. A large majority of states have ratified the convention.

UN Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR)Article 19

kchap2001 — 2024-12-08 23:38:28 UTC

The UN declaration of human rights established the principles of freedom of opinion and expression. It explains that "everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression," and it established that any person may "seek receive and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers."

European Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Article 10. Freedom of Expression

kchap2001 — 2024-12-08 23:41:29 UTC

The European Convention of Human Rights mirrors the language of the UDHR and ICCPR, but expands the power of the state, allowing the state to require licensing for "broadcasting, television or cinema." Similarly, it allows states to suspend these rights for various reasons including, "security, territorial integrity or public safety."

American Convention on Human Rights Article 13.

kchap2001 — 2024-12-08 23:43:51 UTC

Like Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights, the American convention takes on similar language to the UDHR and ICCPR while allowing for "imposition of liability" for reasons similar to the European convention. Similarly, the convention specifies that propaganda for war and hate speech "that constitute incitements to lawless violence" are punishable offenses under the law.

African Charter on Human and People's Rights Article 9.

kchap2001 — 2024-12-08 23:46:05 UTC

The African Charter on Human and People's Rights has been ratified by 54 countries, and it allows the right to receive information, and the right to expression. However, the charter allows for limitations to the right of expression by stating that it must be "within the law."

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

kchap2001 — 2024-12-09 01:01:23 UTC

The UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity aims to promote safe environments for journalists to operate. It's goals are to raise awareness of the importance of independent journalism. Through multiple International Days such as International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, and World Press Freedom Day, the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) promotes awareness of the issue of media freedom. Similarly, UNESCO establishes global standards which local governments can draw from. It also monitors the state of press freedom to allow further investigation into specific issues effecting media freedom.

Freedom of the press under attack worldwide

kchap2001 — 2024-12-09 01:03:44 UTC

This article from the World Press Freedom Day Global Conference in 2022 highlights the global challenges faced by journalists, as "disinformation, hate speech, and deadly attacks against journalists" pose a large threat to the freedom of the press worldwide. According to the article, 2022 was the "deadliest year for the profession," with 86 journalists killed. According to the Director-General of the UN cultural agency, many occurred outside of war zones.

kchap2001 — 2024-12-09 01:05:19 UTC

The UN held its first conference to combat the rise of disinformation online, one of the factors contributing to safety issues for journalists. The conference, with at least 55 states working together to create regulatory initiatives called for a "global approach" to disinformation "based on human rights." As information disruption serves to discredit journalists thereby breaking down the institutions of a free press.

Summary

kchap2001 — 2024-12-09 01:07:02 UTC

In the last decade, there have been some major shifts with regard to free media, and freedom of expression. Namely, the situation for journalists, according to the 2023 World Press Freedom Index demonstrates the worsening conditions for journalists in some of the top countries for media freedom. As of 2023, there are no countries in America with a good situation, and as of now, 545 journalists have been detained around the world with 56 total journalists and media workers killed. Of the violence committed against journalists, the majority comes from outside of war zones. Contributing to the worsening conditions for journalists, however, is the digital space in which disinformation is being used to "tamper with content", and undermine journalists. Furthermore, in countries such as Afghanistan, journalists are facing further censorship and restrictions on information access despite being party to various human rights treaties protecting these rights.

Amnesty International

kchap2001 — 2024-12-09 01:12:01 UTC

Through research, Amnesty International is documenting cases of human rights violations violating the freedom of expression to create awareness around the issue. Similarly, Amnesty is calling for "Prisoners of conscience around the world" to be released, and for laws against the incitement of violence and discrimination to further protect freedom of expression. Similarly, Amnesty is calling for the restriction of governments and companies abilities to obtain information about individuals

U.S. Mission to the EU Joint statement by Mark Gitenstein and Vice President Vera Jourova

kchap2001 — 2024-12-09 01:33:51 UTC

In a statement given by Ambassador Mark Gitenstein and Vice President of the European commission for Values and Transparency explain the vital importance of free press in promoting democracy by "fostering transparency and providing citizens with the information to make informed decisions." They explain that the EU created ProtectDefenders.eu to give journalists support if they are in a high risk environment. Similarly, the Commission proposed legislation to protect media freedom and the independence of media through "the Media Freedom Act" which would combat interference in the media by political or private actors."

Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Strategy for promoting freedom of expression in Norwegian foreign and development policy

kchap2001 — 2024-12-09 01:54:54 UTC

Similarly, the leading state in media freedom, Norway and their Ministry of Foreign Affairs laid out a comprehensive strategy for promoting freedom of expression in its foreign policy. They explain that, their work promotes human rights "through participation in international and regional organizations, through bilateral dialogue, and by providing support to civil society organisations and human rights defenders."

Reporters Without Borders World Abuses in Real Time 2024

kchap2001 — 2024-12-09 03:13:06 UTC

This page monitors the number of abuses against journalists across the world in real time. The page only lists journalists who's death or detainment are due to their occupation. According to the site, 56 have been killed since January 1st, and 545 have been detained this year.

UN General Assembly Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council regarding the safety of journalists

kchap2001 — 2024-12-09 22:53:29 UTC

The UN General Assembly resolution from October 12, 2012 emphasizes the need to protect journalists and media workers by condemning violence against journalists, calling for all member states to respect the rights of reporters and create a safe environment for journalists through a variety of civil and legislative measures.

Summary

kchap2001 — 2024-12-09 23:07:06 UTC

Under the protection of various multilateral treaties such as the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, and other regional multilateral conventions, states are obligated to protect the freedom of expression. This right is also specifically addressed in the UDHR under article 19 which states, "everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression," and it established that any person may "seek receive and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers." Similarly, through general assembly resolutions such as the one above, the UN Human Rights Council attempts to establish norms of governmental behavior regarding the protection of journalists through legislative and civil actions. However, regional treaties such as the American Convention on Human Rights, and the African Charter on Human and People's Rights allow for the suspension of freedom of expression in accordance with the law, and for matters of security. Similarly, they allow for censorship in specific matters.

Summary

kchap2001 — 2024-12-09 23:07:13 UTC

Currently, states such as Norway are promoting a free and safe press through, first and foremost, spreading awareness of human rights via their work with multilateral organizations and through IGOs such as the UN. Similarly, the EU is promoting legislation that would hold governments in their organization accountable for protecting the independence of journalism and safety of journalists in its member states. Furthermore, NGO's such as Amnesty International, and Reporters without borders continue to monitor and research the situation for the safety and freedom of journalists across the world by establishing ratings for media freedom to publicize the issue and advocate for further actions to protect journalists and media workers.

kchap2001 — 2024-12-10 00:50:55 UTC

Though journalists are afforded protections under various sources of international law such as the ICCPR, and other regional treaties, journalists are faced with worsening conditions around the world. Though the UN and other international bodies are actively working to address these issues, they face a variety of constraints. As the UN and other international organizations can address the issue through resolutions, recommendations, and statements, there is no active enforcement body to make sure that states will respect the human rights of journalists. Of course they monitor the situation via treaty monitoring bodies and NGOs take on a similar role of advocacy and research, however, the lack of ability to actively enforce the the treaties due to state sovereignty creates weak measures for holding those that commit violent actions against journalists responsible. Similarly, as demonstrated by the different regional treaties, different international organizations such as the African Union and EU have different priorities for the protection of freedom of expression. While States such as Norway, and organizations such as UNESCO call for a unified global standard for the protection of independent and free media, there are inconsistencies in the priorities of states and regional bodies in the protection of journalists.

Similarly, as highlighted by Amnesty International and other sources, in many countries violent actions against journalists often go unpunished. While the international bodies can advocate against impunity for violent actions against journalists, it is up to individual states to end impunity for violent actions against journalists. Furthermore International organizations are attempting to establish ways to deal with disinformation because of its impact on the situation faced by journalists. With the rise of online media, journalists face rising hostile environments. Take for example, journalists such as Maria Ressa, who have fallen victim to propaganda campaigns and disinformation. With the rise of disinformation and online media, the question remains, how to protect freedom of expression, while actively preventing disinformation meant to undermine journalists exercising that very right.