World Association of News Publishers


WAN-IFRA Supports Initiative to Appoint UN Special Representative for the Safety of Journalists

WAN-IFRA Supports Initiative to Appoint UN Special Representative for the Safety of Journalists

Article ID:

19697

WAN-IFRA supports the proposal put forward by Reporters Sans Frontiers of creating a special representative of the UN Secretary General for the safety of journalists.

Political will is the most important factor in making real, long-lasting and accountable change in the way journalists are protected and their safety is addressed worldwide.

Recognising that media themselves have an active role in ensuring all they can do to protect the profession, the majority of these measures hinge on having a committed state apparatus, judicial system and rule of law to back them up. So far, compliance with the various legal frameworks put in place to better protect journalists has been severely lacking.

Journalists and media professionals are still being attacked and killed, with virtual impunity, in record numbers. This must stop. By supporting the recommendation for a special representative, governments around the world really would set the foundations in place to make this happen.

More information will follow over the coming months regarding how to lobby for and support the call. We urge you to engage with this issue and help to better protect our profession – and the women and men who are its lifeblood – in every way you can.

Author

Andrew Heslop's picture

Andrew Heslop

Date

2016-03-09 17:48

Contact information

In countless countries, journalists, editors and publishers are physically attacked, imprisoned, censored, suspended or harassed for their work. WAN-IFRA is committed to defending freedom of expression by promoting a free and independent press around the world. Read more ...