Article
The Future Threats for Freedom of Expression
Youth Multimedia Room
The article was produced by the Youth Multimedia Room. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the contributors of the Youth Multimedia Room and do not represent the views of UNESCO or its partners. The designations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO or its partners.
From repression, disinformation, to homicides, press freedom is violated in multiple ways. “At least 749 journalists, groups of journalists and news outlets reporting on environmental issues have been attacked in 89 countries between 2009 and 2023, in all regions of the world”, according to UNESCO’s report .
Ms Jennifer Robinson, of Doughty Street Chambers, an Australian human rights and freedom of expression lawyer, has built her career representing journalists seeking international justice when systems fail them. She mentioned that from 2009 to 2023, at least 204 journalists and news outlets covering environmental issues have faced legal attacks. State actors filed criminal charges against 93 of them. 39 journalists have been imprisoned, mainly in Asia and the Pacific. Defamation lawsuits are common in at least 63 of the cases, predominantly in Europe and North America, according to the above-mentioned report.
Ms. Andrea Ixchiu, K'iche journalist and environmental activist from Guatemala, spoke about the importance of indigenous journalism. “It has been key to raising our complaints and defending our mother earth”. But she mentioned that indigenous journalists have faced censorship, criminalization and violence from agents of the State and transnational companies.
Disinformation violates and affects the truth being communicated. Mr. Ricardo Pael Ardenghi, chief prosecutor of the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) in Mato Grosso (Brazil) mentioned the case of journalist Dom Phillips, who was murdered. According to Ardenghi, his story was turned into fake news, which affected his memory and prevented justice to be found.
Another example was given by Ms. Alyaa Abo, an investigative journalist and trainer from Egypt. In her country, turtles are hunted due to misinformation: people drink the blood of turtles to improve their sexual performance. Similarly, a million birds that cross Egypt each year on migration are being hunted for the same reason. These affect biodiversity and the continuation of the food chain. Ms Abo’s contribution to the problem is to make it understandable to everyone, so that the correct information circulates properly.
To conclude the session, Jennifer Robinson insisted that ensuring freedom of the press is essential to perpetuate justice and truth globally.
Article written by Elizabeth Acosta
