UNESCO is advancing a Human Rights Risk Assessment Framework aimed at protecting journalists from rising digital threats. Following previous consultations, a new draft will be refined during the consultation in November 2024, coinciding with the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. This initiative calls for input from multiple stakeholders to identify risks, mitigate threats, and enhance safety measures for journalists online.
The UNESCO consultation on the Human Rights Risk Assessment Framework for Journalists’ Safety Online addresses rising threats like digital violence and misinformation targeting journalists. Triggered by the 2022 World Press Freedom Day, this initiative seeks to ensure that digital platforms uphold human rights and protect marginalized groups, particularly vulnerable journalists against online risks. Following consultations in Copenhagen, UNESCO is refining the Framework in response to feedback incorporating global guidelines on digital governance. In September 2024, UNESCO hosted a consultation in Dakar involving over 35 stakeholders, aiming to finalize Draft 2.1 of the Human Rights Risk Assessment Framework. The upcoming event will coincide with the 10th International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, extending discussions on dynamic threats facing journalists in today’s digital landscape. The Framework aims to guide digital companies in recognizing and managing human rights risks affecting journalists during various operational phases. By identifying the unique challenges faced by women journalists and suggesting responsive measures, it seeks to foster an environment supportive of press freedom and safety. The consultation’s primary objectives include contextual analysis of risks, compiling a list of potential safety threats, formulating mitigation strategies, and defining stakeholder responsibilities. Additionally, participants are invited to discuss emerging issues that may necessitate updates to the Draft Framework and to contribute local insights to the global conversation on journalist safety. Structured around roundtable discussions, the consultation will take place on November 7, 2024, at the African Union Headquarters. It promises to be a vibrant exchange of ideas, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including journalists, civil society, and regulatory authorities. This event marks a crucial step in upholding journalistic integrity and combating impunity in the digital realm.
Digital threats against journalists are escalating, manifesting through various forms of online violence, misinformation campaigns, and targeted hate speech. With a commitment to protecting press freedoms, UNESCO has prioritized creating frameworks that ensure digital platforms adhere to international human rights standards. This effort is particularly timely, as the safety of journalists is increasingly jeopardized in the digital age, necessitating structured guidance and global cooperation to mitigate these risks.
The ongoing consultations led by UNESCO represent a pivotal effort in enhancing the safety and rights of journalists operating online. By generating a comprehensive Human Rights Risk Assessment Framework, stakeholders will collaborate to address the varied and emerging threats that jeopardize journalistic integrity. Ensuring the protection of diverse voices, especially those of vulnerable journalists, is critical in reinforcing press freedom and accountability across digital platforms worldwide.
Original Source: www.unesco.org
