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Governments must protect the essential role of journalists in democracy, especially in times of crisis

02 May 2020

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić.


In a statement issued ahead of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić calls on governments to avoid restricting media freedom during the COVID-19 crisis.

"Governments face unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 crisis, but the situation should not be used to silence or hinder journalists," said the Secretary General.

 

"The media must be free to report on all aspects of the crisis. Journalists have a key role and a special responsibility to provide timely, accurate and reliable information. They must be able to scrutinise the authorities' decisions in response to the pandemic. Through responsible reporting, journalists can also help prevent the spread of panic and highlight positive examples of solidarity in our societies. I have been personally impressed and encouraged by the many media reports I have seen of citizens helping each other, as well as caregivers, nurses, doctors and other 'heroes' on the front lines of this crisis."

 

The Secretary General expressed concern about the findings of the annual report of the Council of Europe Platform for the Protection of Journalists and Journalists' Safety, compiled by 14 press freedom NGOs, highlighting a trend of violence and intimidation against journalists over the past year.

 

"Unfortunately, the worrying trend of violence and intimidation against journalists observed in recent years continues. Too many journalists are in prison and there are too many cases of impunity for the killing of journalists. I am also aware of the difficult economic situation in which many journalists find themselves today," she said.

 

The Secretary General encouraged Member States to protect the role of journalists as "watchdogs" and as an important part of the checks and balances needed in a democratic society. The 2020 report of the Platform to Protect Journalism and Journalists' Safety, published yesterday by 14 international NGOs, lists 142 serious threats to journalists in the 47 member states of the Council of Europe. It includes 33 physical attacks against journalists, 17 new cases of detention and imprisonment, 43 cases of harassment and intimidation and two new cases of impunity for murder.

 

The NGOs express concern about the total of 22 pending cases of impunity for murder of journalists and say that at least 105 journalists were in prison by the end of 2019.

 

NGOs express concern over a total of 22 pending cases of impunity for killing journalists and say at least 105 journalists were in prison by the end of 2019.

 

The video message can be watched here.