Global Repository of National Safety Mechanisms for Journalists
“While there is no unique definition or format of national safety mechanism, they have in common to bring together State authorities (such as the security forces, the government, the judiciary), media representatives as well as other relevant stakeholders such as those monitoring attacks against journalists”
A Global Platform for Information and Knowledge Sharing
As coordinator for the implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, UNESCO has developed this Repository as a contribution to the repositioning of the Plan and as a response to the Call for Action. It serves as a reference point for journalists, media managers, relevant stakeholders, experts, and the general public on the broad spectrum of mechanisms currently in place. It also aims to assist duty-bearers and rights-holders to further engage with these mechanisms on issues related to the safety of journalists.
The National Action Plans with a component specific to the safety of journalists are included in the Repository as key multi-stakeholder structures for the implementation of nationally based mechanisms addressing local safety contexts. The National Safety Mechanisms included in this Repository address the safety of journalists in one or more of the three axes of prevention, protection and prosecution.
What is the Repository?
In 2022 the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity (the Plan) entered its second year of implementation. Marking this milestone UNESCO undertook a year-long global multistakeholder consultative process which involved consultations in all regions and on emerging issues to Reaffirm, Recommit and Reposition the Plan for the coming decade.
A central outcome of the consultations was a renewed call from numerous stakeholders for the establishment and strengthening of national mechanisms for the safety of journalists and media workers. Another interconnected yet separate outcome of the consultations was a call for the safety of journalists to be an essential component of National Human Rights and Development Plans, particularly within the context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
As coordinator for the implementation of the Plan, UNESCO has developed the Repository as a contribution to the repositioning of the Plan and as a response to the call for action. It shall serve as a reference point for journalists, media managers, relevant stakeholders, experts, and the general public on the broad spectrum of mechanisms currently in place. It also aims to assist duty-bearers and rights-holders to further engage with these mechanisms on issues related to the safety of journalists and media workers.
The National Action Plans with a component specific to the safety of journalists and media workers are included in the Repository as key multi-stakeholder structures for the implementation of nationally based mechanisms addressing local safety contexts. The National Safety Mechanisms included in the Repository address the safety of journalists and media workers in one or more of the three axes of prevention, protection and prosecution.
Initiatives of Member States
Initiatives of Regional Intergovernmental Organizations
Background to the Repository
A central aspect of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity is the establishment of global standards from which regional and national policies can draw upon for inspiration.
Therefore in 2022, UNESCO undertook a year-long global multistakeholder consultative process in all regions, focusing on the regional implementation of the Plan and on how to address emerging challenges in order to Reaffirm, Recommit and Reposition the Plan for a second decade.
A key outcome of the consultations was a renewed call from numerous stakeholders to establish and strengthen national mechanisms for the safety of journalists. Another interconnected yet separate outcome of the consultations, was a call for the safety of journalists to be an essential component of National Human Rights and Development Plans, particularly within the context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Sources of Information
The information on this platform has been received from UNESCO's partners on the Safety of Journalists, Member State reactions to the Director-General's requests for information on the judicial status of cases of killed journalists, and relevant UNESCO Field Office CI Advisors.
UNESCO does not warrant that the information, documents and materials contained in this website is complete and correct and shall not be liable whatsoever for any damages incurred as a result of its use.
Contact Us
The beta version of this Repository is a work in progress and for more information on a specific mechanism or to suggest inputs, corrections and additions, including images, please contact us by email: sojmechanisms@unesco.org
Contact Us
This beta version of the Repository is a work in progress and for more information on a specific mechanism or to suggest inputs, corrections and additions, including images, please contact us by email: sojmechanisms@unesco.org
