Free media vital for a vibrant and accountable democracy

Traditionally democracy’s four major pillars have been the executive, the legislature, the judiciary and the free media. For the past 20 years, social media also has started to play a key role. Just as free media needs to be fair, accurate and balanced, the social media also with its innovative and creative excellence need to act fairly because the rights are directly linked to responsibilities. To the extent, social media fulfils its responsibility, to that extent it could claim its rights and play the role it should in maintaining a vibrant, transparent and accountable democracy. Unfortunately, in most countries including Sri Lanka, sections of social media appeared to have gone off balance and are causing major problems by twisting and turning reports and indulging in ugly or unethical practice of telling lies in the form of alternative facts. But that does not justify violence or threats against social media journalists. 

 

On November 2, the United Nations marks the international day to end impunity for crimes against journalists, highlighting the need to counter threats of violence and crimes against them to protect freedom of expression for all. In a statement, the UN says 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, more than 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 Organisation (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. 

 

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. Women journalists are particularly impacted by threats and attacks, notably by those made online. According to UNESCO’s discussion paper, The Chilling: Global trends in online violence against women journalists, 73 percent of the women journalists surveyed said they had been threatened, intimidated and insulted online in connection with their work.   

 

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 UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity is the first concerted effort within the UN to address attacks and impunity of crimes against journalists, with a multi-stakeholder and holistic approach. It brings together UN bodies, national authorities, media, and civil society organizations.   

 

Since the plan was adopted, the issue of safety of journalists has gained a higher visibility in the UN, as evidenced by the increasing number of declarations, resolutions and other normative texts, and the UN Secretary General’s Call to Action for Human Rights. Protecting journalists is also part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Plan has also contributed to building international coalitions of governments and civil society and served to bring about changes on the ground, such as the creation of national safety mechanisms in at least 50 countries.   

 

But despite these achievements, challenges still exist. The high rate of impunity for crimes against journalists persists and new forms of threats develop in unprecedented ways. The 10-year anniversary is a milestone to Reaffirm, Recommit and Reposition efforts to advance the UN Plan.   

 

As the United Nations agency with a specific mandate to promote “the free flow of ideas by word and image”, UNESCO works to foster free, independent and pluralistic media in print, broadcast and online. Media development in this mode enhances freedom of expression, and it contributes to peace, sustainability, poverty eradication and human rights.