World Press Freedom Day

  Media freedom in Turkey remains the worst of the countries monitored by the MFRR, with continued and systematic repression of independent journalism. Over 170 media outlets have been forcibly closed since 2016 and at the time of publishing, 38 journalists remain behind bars. MapMF recorded 92 alerts in Turkey in the year 2021, involving 153 attacked persons or entities related to media. In addition to physical violence, police pressure and crippling fines by regulators, civil lawsuits, and criminal sanctions in the courts create an extremely hostile climate for watchdog journalism. Violations monitored during the year represent the tip of the iceberg of the ongoing and widespread attack on media critical of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP. Legal persecution remains the most per‐ vasive threat and made up nearly half of the recorded attacks (49%. Criminal charges related to the alleged dissemination of propaganda and terrorism-related crimes are common sanctions use...

In 2021, 119 alerts were recorded in Germany , involving a total of 223 attacked persons or entities related to media. Again, the country is by far at the top of the EU Member States and Candidates countries in terms of reporting. While the high number of alerts can partly be explained by the strength of the MFRR net‐ work in Germany, it clearly confirms a trend in the deterioration of press and media freedom, especially when it comes to the coverage of demonstrations, as repeatedly emphasised by the MFRR. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of violent protests multiplied and the frequent participation of hooligans and right-wing extremists in such anti-COVID rallies led to various attacks. With 92 violations, over 77% of the alerts took place during protests. In the vast majority of cases, attacks were carried out by private individuals (63.9%,76 alerts). Cit‐ izens’ low regard towards the journalistic profession and decreasing trust in tradi‐ tional media are certain...

Between January 1 and December 1 2021, at least 108 journalists were imprisoned, totalling a record number of 293 jailed journalists across the World. The CPJ's 2021 prison census found that the number of reporters jailed for their work hit a new global record of 293, up from a revised total of 280 in 2020. 

Every year, 3 May is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, to evaluate press freedom around the world , to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession .  World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991. This in turn was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration  on media pluralism and independence. At the core of UNESCO's mandate is freedom of the press and freedom of expression . UNESCO believes that these freedoms allow for mutual understanding to build a sustainable peace . It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom - a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and ...

 Journalism can be exercised by a wide range of actors, including bloggers and others. In addition to protecting the safety and security of journalists, States have an obligation to create an enabling environment for free and independent journalism . Strong protections for journalists’ sources and whistleblowers are often a precondition for a range of journalistic activities, and critical to the public’s right to know .

 States are obliged to prohibit advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discriminaiton, hostility or violence. Efforts to combat such advocacy may be necessary to protect the freedom of expression of individuals and groups. However, any restriction on hate speech and related advocacy must nevertheless be provided by law, and necessary and proportionate to pursue a legitimate objective.

 Freedom of opinion and freedom ofexpression are indispensable conditions for the full development of the person. They constitute the foundation stone for every free and democratic society. DEFENDING THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR  The Special Rapporteur is an independent expert mandated to promote and protect the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The Special Rapporteur: • transmits urgent appeals and letters of allegation to States and others on alleged violations of freedom of opinion and expression. • undertakes fact-finding country visits to assess freedom of expression issues in countries. • submits annual reports to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, providing analysis and recommendations on thematic challenges and concerns associated with the exercise of freedom of expression globally.   GUIDELINES FOR THE SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION TO THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR : Non-governmental organ...