Guy Berger

Eleven years at UNESCO (2011-2022) as a senior director saw me undertake extensive work under the auspices of the UN Plan of Action on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity. This included the "Journalists' Safety Indicators" model, co-developing a research agenda on safety, input into a journalism school curriculum on safety, and supporting the formation of the Journalism Safety Research Network. This activity was further accompanied by presentations at conferences like those organised by Oslo Met, and the annual academic conference of safety convened at UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day global event. Several peer-reviewed articles have been published over this period.

Definition of journalists' safety

It is the right to do journalism - without fear - as part of the wider right to freedom of expression. As such, it encompasses a broad spectrum encompassing all aspects that illegitimately restrict a journalist - ranging from murder through to hacking, arbitrary arrest, online intimidation, and prosecutions under laws that do not meet international standards. Safety is more than an absence of restriction, however, it also implicates the need for active measures that entail monitoring, preventative actions (eg. leaders speaking out against attacks on journalists), protective steps (including by police, internet companies and media empoyers), and prosecution of culprits committing crimes against journalists.

Future plans for research on journalists' safety

Monitoring the evolving agenda of attacks and related research, and promoting access to relevant data held by Internet companies.