The United Nations General Assembly, the UNESCO General Conference, and the Human Rights Council marked the World Press Freedom Day, calling for ensuring the safety of journalists and media workers.
The journalists and media anchors must enjoy democracy, promotion, international peace and security, and the protection of human rights, according to a joint statement by the UN, UNESCO, and the council.
"Multiple resolutions, declarations, and commitments on the safety of journalists have been adopted by our respective bodies, including the 2021 UN General Assembly resolution on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity (A/RES/76/173), the 2020 Human Rights Council resolution on the safety of journalists (A/HRC/RES/45/18), and the 2021 Windhoek+30 Declaration on information as a public good (UNESCO General Conference Resolution 41C.41)," the statement read.
The message also indicated that the wider UN system developed a multistakeholder coordination framework known as the "UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity", adopted by the UN principals in 2012.
"As we mark the 10th anniversary of the UN Plan of Action this year, we welcome the considerable progress made over the past decade in the implementation of the Plan," the outlet noted. "We applaud those governments which have made the safety of journalists a priority, within their borders and beyond, and highlight the significant contribution of civil society organizations that are committed to advancing media freedom and safety."
In the same vein, it highlighted the current challenges, including high levels of impunity for crimes against journalists, a rise in the number of journalists detained and increased legal harassment against them, online violence, the use of surveillance tools to hinder the journalist’s work, increased attacks on women journalists, and the rise of killings in non-conflict environments.
"As we embark on the last decade to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, it is important to remember the contribution of freedom of expression, press freedom, and access to information to all other rights, such as quality education, the eradication of poverty, and access to justice and healthcare," the joint statement stressed.
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