World’s press roots for greater protections for journalists

World’s press roots for greater protections for journalists

NEW DELHI: Noting the ‘tragic statistics’ that show 1127 journalists have been killed in the line of duty since 1992, the Board of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) has called for greater protections for journalists, and for journalists’ safety to be given higher priority by governments, international institutions, and the media industry itself.

 

The Board also acknowledged that over 50 per cent of these deaths involved journalists working in print media, and that in the vast majority of instances, those killed were local journalists.

 

The Board of WAN-IFRA denounced the impunity that surrounded the murder of journalists and urged stronger multilateral efforts to punish those who target journalists as a means of deterrent against future crimes. It also noted that in more than 90 per cent of cases, no one is brought to justice.

 

Calling upon governments and the media fraternity gloabally, the Board asked them to actively support the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity and encouraged media support organisations to work more closely with media companies to address the gaps in training, equipment and expertise that could contribute to reducing dangers.

 

The Board of WAN-IFRA also called for greater solidarity within the news industry to propose solutions that improve safety and protection for all journalists, and to work together to support media professionals working in unstable and unsafe environments as a means of strengthening press freedom worldwide.