UNESCO is the lead UN Agency for promoting freedom of expression and safety of journalists as part of its mandate to “promote the free flow of ideas by word and image”.
Understanding Journalist Safety in Lithuania
Although physical attacks against Lithuanian journalists are quite rare, psychological threats related to the profession are relatively frequent, sometimes affecting journalists’ family members as well. The survey of Lithuanian journalists showed that almost four-fifths had experienced safety incidents related to their journalistic work, either more or less frequently, over the past five years. The most common incidents experienced by journalists were demeaning or hateful speech, public discrediting of their work, and questioning their morality. Most journalists said they experienced these actions rarely or sometimes, while fewer said they experienced them often or very often. The survey revealed that male journalists face different threats more often than women, except for sexual assault/harassment.
Journalists working in regional or local media outlets experience more diverse forms of insecurity than journalists working in national media outlets. However, there were no differences found in the frequency of work-related threats between commercial private and public service media. The quantity and variety of threats experienced by Lithuanian journalists indicate that journalism in Lithuania is a profession in which safe activities cannot be fully guaranteed in certain cases.
Safety Dimensions
This radar chart displays how the country performs across all four safety dimensions, revealing areas of strength and concern.
Gender Safety Gap
This comparison highlights differences in safety experiences between male and female journalists, revealing potential gender-based disparities.