Protecting Media To Protect Democracy

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“A surge in disinformation, online bullying and hate speech, particularly against women journalists, is contributing to the stifling of media workers around the world. Intimidation through the abuse of legal, financial and other means is undermining efforts to hold the powerful accountable.” – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2 November as The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. The resolution urged Member States to implement definite measures countering the present culture of impunity. The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013. This landmark resolution condemns all attacks and violence against journalists and media workers. It also urges Member States to do their utmost to prevent violence against journalists and media workers, to ensure accountability, bring to justice perpetrators of crimes against journalists and media workers, and ensure that victims have access to appropriate remedies. It further calls upon States to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference. According to the United Nations ending impunity for crimes against journalists is one of the most pressing issues to guarantee freedom of expression and access to information for all citizens. Between 2006 and 2020, over 1,200 journalists have been killed for reporting the news and bringing information to the public. In nine out of ten cases the killers go unpunished, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) observatory of killed journalists. Impunity leads to more killings and is often a symptom of worsening conflict and the breakdown of law and judicial systems. The UN adds that while killings are the most extreme form of media censorship, journalists are also subjected to countless threats - ranging from kidnapping, torture and other physical attacks to harassment, particularly in the digital sphere. Threats of violence and attacks against journalists, in particular, create a climate of fear for media professionals, impeding the free circulation of information, opinions and ideas for all citizens. Disturbingly, female journalists are particularly impacted by threats and attacks, notably by those made online. According to UNESCO’s discussion paper, 73 percent of the female journalists surveyed said they had been threatened, intimidated and insulted online in connection with their work. The United Nations states that 274 journalists were imprisoned in 2020, the highest yearly total in three decades. In many cases, threats of violence and attacks against journalists are not properly investigated. This impunity emboldens the perpetrators of the crimes and at the same time has a chilling effect on society, including journalists themselves. UNESCO is concerned that impunity damages whole societies by covering up serious human rights abuses, corruption, and crime. On the other hand, justice systems that vigorously investigate all threats of violence against journalists send a powerful message that society will not tolerate attacks against journalists and against the right to freedom of expression for all. The theme this year is Protecting Media to Protect Democracy. In Jamaica we have seen the murder of bloggers and other social media practitioners and this is problematic. Oftentimes the murders of journalists remain unsolved. We must encourage and give more support to the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) to continue their work in protecting the rights of media practitioners. Additionally, media practitioners must become part of their local organizations in order to amplify their voices in what can be a dangerous field of work. In the words of Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, let us all stand up for journalists, our speakers of truth. Let us fight for justice and protect the free flow of information that is so vital to our societies. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #EndImpunity #TruthNeverDies #ProtectJournalists

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