UNESCO will commemorate World Press Freedom Day in Chile with a seminar entitled "Protection of journalists, a guarantee to defend freedom of expression"

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's decision to proclaim International Press Freedom Day, with the message "Shaping a future of rights: freedom of expression as the engine of other human rights." During 2023, the Observatory of the Right to Communication (ODC), together with academics from the FCEI, has been developing the research project "Application of Safety Indicators for Journalists in Chile" under the mandate of UNESCO's International Program for the Development of Communications (IPDC), some of which will be presented during this seminar. Likewise, the Faculty of Communication and Image is currently commemorating the 70th anniversary of the University of Chile's School of Journalism, the first one founded in the country.

The social crises, COVID-19 pandemic, and activities of organized crime have highlighted the growing threats and risks faced by those who practice journalism, affecting their informative activity and the exercise of other human rights. In this sense, the event held in Chile focuses on the safety of journalists and communicators, aiming to publicize the risks they face in Chile and the region, as well as the measures being developed in the legislative and public policy spheres to improve the protection of the press.

Prominent professionals in the field of journalism and freedom of expression will be present, including Matías Ponce Martínez, representative of the UNESCO Regional Office in Montevideo (Uruguay); Patricia Peña and Chiara Sáez, academics from the Faculty of Communication and Image of the University of Chile; Javier García, president of the Observatory of the Right to Communication, as well as various union leaders, parliamentarians, and government officials.

3 de mayo

10:00-10:15 GMT4 | Saludos de bienvenida

• Sra. Loreto Rebolledo, decana de la Facultad de Comunicación e Imagen de la Universidad de Chile .
• Sra. Nicole Cardoch, subsecretaria General de Gobierno.
• Sr. Valtencir Mendes, jefe de Educación de OREALC/UNESCO Santiago.

10:15-11:30 GMT-410:15-11:30 GMT-4

• Panel:  La seguridad de periodistas en América Latina y Chile
• Moderación: Carolina Trejo, académica de la Escuela de Periodismo FCEI.
• Gustavo Matías Ponce Martínez. Oficina de la UNESCO Montevideo.
• Javier García, presidente del Observatorio del Derecho a la Comunicación.
• Turno preguntas

11:30-11:45 GMT-4

• Coffee Break

11:45-13:30 GMT-4 - Conversatorio: Políticas públicas para la protección de la prensa en Chile

Moderación:  Patricia Peña Miranda, académica del FCEI

• Rocío Alorda,  presidenta del Colegio de Periodistas.
• Nathalie Castillo, diputada.
• Javier Martín, presidente de la Asociación de Corresponsales
• María Jaraquemada, secretaria ejecutiva Chile Transparente
• Sebastián Zárate, secretario general de la Federación de Medios de Comunicación Social de Chile

Preguntas