Deltagelse UNESCOs generalkonferanse

Jeg var en av delegatene i den norske delegasjonen under UNESCOs generalkonferanse i Paris. Jeg deltok under CI (Communication and information) 12-14. november. Det norske hovedinnlegget la mye vekt sikkerhet for journalister i konfliktsoner, aktualisert med krigen på Gaza: Innlegge åpnet slik:

According to UNESCO’s Observatory of Killed Journalists, 53 journalists dedicated to their work as public watchdogs have been killed this year. Almost half of them were killed in countries with ongoing armed conflict. In Palestine, in Ukraine and in several other countries. Protecting the free press in armed conflict is critical. War correspondents provide access to reliable news and information, [mitigating the influence of widespread propaganda and disinformation]. They document and report on human rights violations and abuse.

Increasingly, journalists are also killed in non-conflict countries. Journalists across the world are putting their life at risk to uncover the truth, and to ensure public access to information. Impunity for killings and other crimes against journalists remains unacceptably high (86 %).

In a global context of democratic decline and backlash against human rights, UNESCO’s mandate to protect and promote freedom of expression, public access to information and safety of journalists, [online and offline], is of great importance. We welcome UNESCO’s priority to reinforce the implementation of theUN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists [and the Issue of Impunity]. With a particular attention to gender-based attacks, digital threats, and the safety of journalists in crisis situations and during electionsn.