Minister for Media and Data and Minister for
Safeguarding will
today co-chair the first meeting of a new committee to make sure
journalists can operate without fear of violence or abuse.
Recent events such as attacks on journalists reporting on
protests and threats to members of the press in Northern Ireland
have exposed the fact that those who play an important role in
the democratic process are not always safe.
The National Committee For The Safety of Journalists will bring
together representatives from government, journalism, policing,
prosecution services and the civil service to work in
collaboration to make sure journalists are free from threats and
violence.
The Committee’s first task will be to develop a National Action
Plan which sets out a framework through which the safety of
journalists can be ensured and they can be protected from
physical harm and threats of violence. The committee will meet
twice a year and be tasked with monitoring progress in the area.
Minister for Media and Data said:
“The UK has been at the forefront of the global campaign for
media freedom but it is also essential that we protect the safety
of journalists at home.
“The rise in misinformation during the pandemic has highlighted
once again the valuable role played by journalists working for
reputable news organisations who produce accurate and balanced
high-quality journalism. We must do all we can to ensure that
they can carry this out free from threats and intimidation.”
Representatives from police services across the UK, the press,
including the National Union of Journalists, Reporters Without
Borders and the Society of Editors have been invited to join as
members of the Committee. The Committee may ask journalists to
attend on an ad hoc basis to share their experiences.
As well as operating within and supporting journalists in the UK,
the Committee will invite observers to provide international
perspectives.
Safeguarding Minister said:
“News media fulfil an extremely important role in our democracy
and it is right that we do everything we can to protect them from
harm.”
, Executive Director of the
Society of Editors said:
“The Society of Editors is pleased to be able to support and play
a role in the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists.
Journalism is not a crime nor is it at odds with society. Indeed
it plays an important role in keeping society free, and yet
increasingly we see journalists targeted for violence and abuse.
“This committee’s role in pinpointing action to combat this is
both welcome and of vital importance.”
Rebecca Vincent, Director of International Campaigns at Reporters
Without Borders said:
“Reporters Without Borders is pleased to see this Committee
moving forward at a time when journalists are facing greater
risks than ever before. We look forward to working with the
Committee to ensure better protections for journalists throughout
the UK – and that the UK government is leading by example in its
efforts to champion media freedom globally.”
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said:
“Attacks on journalists are on the rise in the UK and around the
globe. Increasingly the press is harassed and singled out for
attack while doing their job. Unfettered journalism is a vital
part of our democracy and the NUJ looks forward to working with
the committee to protect a free media and end the impunity of
crimes against journalists.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
-
In April 2019 the Organisation for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE), the world’s largest security oriented
inter-governmental organisation, urged member states to
establish “a national committee for safety of journalists
which would gather representatives of the prosecutor’s
office, the police and journalist associations to verify that
all attacks and threats are properly investigated, improve
procedures if needed; propose protection measures when
necessary and implement preventive action to reinforce the
security of journalists.” This followed attacks, threats, and
murders of journalists around the world.
-
Last year the Foreign and Commonwealth Office launched its
international Media Freedoms Campaign to shine a global
spotlight on media freedom and increase the cost to those who
are attempting to restrict it.
-
The UK supports freedom of expression as a fundamental right
in itself and as an essential enabler of the full range of
other human rights protected by UK and international law.
-
A full list of membership is as follows:
Police Service Northern Ireland
the National Police Chiefs’ Council
Police Scotland
Crown Prosecution Service
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
Reporters without Borders
Society of Editors
News Media Association
Head of Newsgathering, BBC
National Union of Journalists
Index on Censorship
Observers:
UNESCO
BBC World Service
Justice for Journalists
International Federation of Journalists
Committee to Protect Journalists
