Better inter-UN cooperation urgently required to address journalist safety
The need for better inter-UN cooperation to help counter the disturbing trend of journalist deaths was highlighted at yesterday’s UNESCO International Symposium on Freedom of Expression. The event, sponsored by the Swedish National Commission for UNESCO, gathered some 300 participants including government officials, policymakers, NGOs and media professionals.
In advance of the Symposium the UK National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC) developed a set of proposals to help advance inter-UN cooperation on the issue of journalist safety. These proposals, which were raised at the event, focus on better information sharing to support UN reporting on journalist safety, convening an inter-UN meeting on the subject and a mapping exercise to inform future discussions.
Download this document, ‘UNESCO’s work on the journalist safety and countering impunity: Proposals for inter-UN cooperation’ from the sidebar.
These proposals have been developed as a basis for further discussion and cooperation among all interested stakeholders, including National Commissions for UNESCO, Member States and NGOs. The UKNC welcomes feedback on these proposals and how the issue of inter-UN cooperation in support of journalist safety and countering impunity may be progressed. Details of how to provide feedback are available at the end of the proposals document.
This one-day event supported UNESCO’s mission to foster the free flow of ideas by word and image, and its promotion of the value of information and communication for “advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples”. UNESCO has long highlighted the links between the free flow of ideas and the broader objective of preventing wars and constructing the defences of peace.
Watch a video of the Symposium and download the programme, Director-General’s opening remarks and other resources here.
Written: 27/01/2011 , last modified: 27/01/2011
2010 UNESCO World Press Freedom Day laureate Monica Gonzalez speaks at the International Symposium © UNESCO / Danica Bijeljac