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Freedom of Expression
UNESCO promotes freedom of expression and freedom of the press as a basic human right
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The Freedom of Expression Working Group is chaired by Tim Williams and has identified the following areas to pursue:
- World Press Freedom Day - London event to mark the day
- Safety of journalists reporting on the frontline or in conflict situations
World Press Freedom Day : 3 May 
The UK National Commission has been organising events to mark WPFD (3 May) in the UK since 2000.
See highlights of the debate in 2006: "Freedom of Expression is Sacred" held at Portcullis House. (more)
See highlights of the Oxford Union style debate in 2007: "World Media Freedom is in Retreat" held at Portcullis House. (more)
Journalist Safety
 During the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis, a draft resolution prepared by the International Federation of Journalists and the International News Safety Institute was presented to Kofi Annan, calling for Actions to Improve the Safety and Security of Journalists, Media Staff and Associated Personnel in Situations of Armed Conflict.
The Resolution (Resolution 1738) was unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council Resolution on 23 December 2006, which called for more action to protect journalists in conflict zones.
Resolution 1738 condemns intentional attacks against journalists "and calls upon all parties to put an end to such practices". The Security Council stresses that the deliberate targeting of civilians "may constitute a threat to international peace and security" and reaffirms its readiness "to consider such situations and, where necessary, to adopt appropriate steps".
It also urges warring parties "to do their utmost to prevent violations of international humanitarian law against civilians, including journalists, media professionals and associated personnel". The resolution emphasises that there are existing prohibitions under international humanitarian law against attacks intentionally directed against civilians, including journalists, "which in situations of armed conflicts constitute war crimes".
Rodney Pinter spoke about journalist safety at UNESCO meeting. download
What is UNESCO doing about journalist safety?
- International instrument
1997 UNESCO resolution on Condemnation of Violence against Journalists
- Journalists and reporting in conflict areas
Support Non-Partisan Reporting in Conflict Areas. In conflict areas, information is often replaced by rumours and propaganda. For this reason, UNESCO has been supporting for more than ten years independent media in conflict areas that are providing non-partisan information to the population, e.g. Bosnia. International instruments used: The Belgrade Declaration
Handbook on “Gender, Conflict and Journalism” for mid-career journalists in South Asia and elsewhere, where journalists’ choices are made when framing a conflict story, is now available in hard copy, CD-ROM and online.
- Journalists Safety
Specific relevance to safety of local journalists in conflict areas. A Practical Guide for Journalists working in conflict zones was published in 1998 in cooperation with Reporters sans Frontières. This Guide, regularly updated, is available in different languages, notably English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Russian.
UNESCO has been associated with the Media in Danger programme of the World Association of Newspapers, notably for journalists and media in the Basque Country of Spain and Colombia.
50 journalists from the Democratic Republic of Congo and from other countries in the region attended two UNESCO supported training seminars on the security of journalists, which were organized by the International News Safety Institute (INSI) from 27 February to 8 March 05 in Kinshasa and Bukavu.
- Journalist Training
By the end of 2005, 10 workshops for district correspondents from the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan were organized by UNESCO, in the framework of its programme on promoting freedom of expression and human resource development in the media field.
- Supporting Independent Media in Post-Conflict Situations
UNESCO, IGOs, NGOs, and donors promote the development of independent and pluralistic media in post-conflict areas. The technical assistance includes provision of and access to ICT, especially Internet facilities and training in their use to provide the population in conflict situations with increased access to non-partisan information.
- Support to Journalists in Election Reporting
UNESCO, together with the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation provided training for Palestine journalists ahead of election in 2005. 2 parallel workshops in Ramallah and Gaza on reporting and media coverage of Palestinian General Elections. The participants were selected from both the public and private media with a balanced representation of women journalists.
“Towards Democracy in Iraq” In the context of the undergoing constitutional process in Iraq, UNESCO launches a new website dedicated to the media and human rights. It offers relevant and easily accessible information and key publications on these issues.
What else is being done about journalist safety?
- British Ministry of Defence (MOD) "Green Book" of working arrangements with the media now contains a chapter on journalist safety. (28 February 2006)
- In view of the journalists held hostage in Iraq, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe held at its last session an urgent debate on freedom of the press and the working conditions of journalists in conflict zones. This debate lead to the adoption of Resolution 1702 and Recommendation 1438 (2005). (more)
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