IFEX advises
10 of the many ways people use to make it safer for journalists to do their job
1. Close the “accountability gap”
In 2019, UN expert Agnes Kallamar released an innovative report on the investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi containing strong recommendations to address the “accountability gap” internationally. When justice is unattainable at the national level, in such countries as the Gambia and Colombia, human rights groups succeed through regional and subregional courts.
2. Use the Magnitsky Act
A number of countries have adopted laws in the “Magnitsky style” that identify individuals who are directly or indirectly responsible for gross human rights violations, including attacks against journalists, and apply targeted sanctions on them in response.
3. Create a Network of Editors for Security
Immediate and ongoing media coverage can help avoid ignoring incidents of attacks on journalists. The Pakistani Network of Editors for Security is a fresh and impressive example of how the media has committed to coordinate coverage of such events.
4. Initiate understanding between law enforcement agencies and journalists
Coverage of events in tensed or crisis times can be very dangerous. In countries such as Nigeria and Paraguay, groups offer training and facilitation of dialogue between law enforcement and the media in order to reduce the risk of violent incidents while covering protests.
5. Make sure that voices from the field are heard at the UN
The UN system can help local activists draw attention to cases of crimes against journalists in their countries and get the support of other member states. For that purpose, groups have successfully appealed to the Human Rights Council, treaty bodies and use the Universal Periodic Review.
6. Use but not abuse the power of laws
The groups organize campaigns in support of national laws that establish security mechanisms, institute special prosecutors, protect sources and other measures, and at the same time oppose laws that are directed against journalists, but using countering slander, terrorism, cybercrime and hate speech as a cover.
7. Promote strong networks for citizen journalists
Freelance and citizen journalists often lack the institutional protections and security facilities provided to accredited journalists with the support of major media outlets. Initiatives like FrontlineFreelanceRegister create a sense of community and promote standards of safety and professionalism.
8. Accept global commitment to protect media freedom
The governments of Great Britain and Canada launched a global campaign, Protect Freedom of Media, which led to the formation of a coalition of states committed to protect media freedom and to respond collectively in the event of threats or attacks against journalists. A high-level panel of legal experts has also been established in order to provide legal support and advice to States to improve the situation of media freedom and to respond to violations when they occur.
9. Solve gender-based violence issues
As part of the United Nations Action Plan on the Safety of Women Journalists, the #JournalistsToo conference brought together more than 200 representatives of states, journalists and lawyers to study the effects of persecution of women journalists on the Internet and to develop practical and legal measures to solve the problem effectively.
10. Continue to cover events
Impunity thrives in darkness. People around the world help monitor crimes against journalists and call for their cessation, sign petitions, write letters, share information and show solidarity, sometimes at personal risk. In Malta, a memorial ceremony in memory of the murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galicia occured to be a strong reminder to the government that those who attacked her went unpunished. Despite several attempts by the authorities to prevent the ceremony or to destroy the erected structures, the demonstrators continue to rebuild them - as a sign of disobedience and devotion.
