News
±«±··”³§°ä°æās IPDC Advances Journalistsā Safety and Media Development Amid Rising Global Challenges
The Council Chair, RaĆŗl FernĆ”ndez Daza, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Chile to UNESCO, highlighted the ±Ź°ł“Ē²µ°ł²¹³¾³¾±šās vital role in navigating the various crises currently being faced. He emphasized that media development, improving access to information, and safeguarding journalists require robust international cooperation.
Two Years of Impactful Action
Journalists and news organizations have faced mounting challenges in the two years since the Councilās last session, ranging from faltering business models and a shifting digital environment to physical and online threats. Throughout, IPDC has provided critical support at grassroots and global levels.
It is important to take the time to reflect on what we have been able to accomplish together, despite the enormous challenges. Only then can we build upon our successes, highlight the good work of our colleagues and partners around the globe, and better identify priorities and improve our support moving forward.
Monique van Daalen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to UNESCO and Chairperson ad interim on 21-22 November, underlined that between September 2022 and August 2024, the IPDC Bureau channeled over $4.2 million to 108 projects, spanning at least 90 countries.
Reflecting ±«±··”³§°ä°æās global priorities, approximately one-third entailed gender-transformative or gender-specific programming and one-third were implemented in Africa, while nearly half were implemented in Least Developed Countries.
Ambassador Van Daalen noted that IPDCās donor base has expanded with the addition of new Member States, broadening the geographical representation of the donor group and highlighting the global value of the Programme.
Calling attention to journalistsā safety and justice, access to information
The Council also discussed and issued decisions on two key reports linked to the monitoring of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators 16.10.1 and 16.10.2, respectively:
UNESCO recorded 162 killings of journalists between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023, representing an alarming 38% increase from the previous biennium. On average, one journalist is killed every four days. ADG Jelassi noted that the impunity rate of 85% is still āunacceptably high,ā and underlined that ājustice delayed is justice denied.ā
The Austrian delegation, speaking on behalf of the Group of Friends on Safety of Journalists, drew attention to increasing lethal attacks on journalists in conflict situations, particularly in Gaza, in Lebanon and in Ukraine.
Mr Ziad Makary, Minister of Information of Lebanon and Mr Nabil Abu Rudiyneh, Minister of Information of Palestine, also denounced the deliberate targeting of journalists and press institutions in the two countries.
The Council took note with appreciation of the report and requested the Director-General to include in the next 10th edition of this biennial report, a comparative analysis of trends in the killing of journalists and media workers over the last 20 years. Through the Decision, the Council also condemned the surge in journalist killings, including in countries experiencing conflict. The decision specifically highlights the situation of journalists in Ukraine, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. It also requests the Director-General to provide more information on non-lethal attacks and encourages Member States to reinforce preventive, protective and prosecutorial measures for the safety of journalists.
UNESCO is also tasked with monitoring and reporting on the implementation of access to information (ATI) policies worldwide. The discussion of the Global Report on the Implementation of Access to Information Laws emphasized the necessity of ATI frameworks for transparency, accessibility, and the achievement of the SDGs. Council Members commended the increasing number of UN Member States that have statutory guarantees for ATI, now totaling 139, and noted the need to improve effective implementation of those laws.
The discussion of the ±Ź°ł“Ē²µ°ł²¹³¾³¾±šās also emphasized its prioritization and growing expertise in the areas of journalistsā safety, media viability, and journalism education.
IPDCās flagship initiative āSupporting Media Safe Spaces for journalists in conflict situations,ā for instance, has funded pilot programmes in Ukraine, Pakistan (for Afghan journalists), and Sudan, and the development of regional hubs in East Africa and in Latin America and the Caribbean.
New publications supported by IPDC highlighted emerging challenges and solutions, including the policy brief which explores data transparencyās impact on media viability and journalistsā safety. IPDC also supports journalism education by developing Criteria for Excellence in Journalism Education in Africa, and launching two new guides in 2023: āReporting on Artificial Intelligenceā and āTeaching Journalism Online.ā
Looking ahead, the Council underscored the urgent need for increased support to locally driven media development. It welcomed the new voluntary and encouraged Member States to review and implement their own policies.
In anticipation of the 30th commemoration of the , the Council tasked UNESCO to contribute to its multistakeholder revision to incorporate new challenges posed by the digital age, including technology-facilitated gender-based violence and AI-related gender bias.
The Council also encouraged greater support for environmental journalism, in particular through ±«±··”³§°ä°æās .
The Chair of the Council, Ambassador FernƔndez Daza, highlighted UNESCO's work in these areas and expressed his gratitude to all Council members for their collaboration and efforts, which enabled the review and decision-making on all agenda items. This strengthens the work of the Program and allows countries, within the framework of UNESCO, to continue working together to ensure a healthy environment for the growth of a free and pluralistic press.
Updates on these decisions will be provided to the IPDC Council at its 35th session in November 2026.
See the IPDC Councilās Decisions
