Safety of Journalists in crisis and conflict-situations
Journalists reporting from crisis- and conflict-zones face severe threats in carrying out their critical work. While from 2017 onwards UNESCO recorded gradual decreases in media workers killed in conflict zones, more recently the trend has been reversed. UNESCO's monitoring in 2023 recorded more than 50% of journalist killings occurred in crisis- and conflict-zones, with continuously high numbers in the first half of 2024.
These tragedies are only the tip of the iceberg. Media infrastructure is often damaged or destroyed, and journalists face physical attacks, detention, equipment confiscation or denial of access to reporting sites. Many are forced to flee or cease their work, risking turning conflict areas into "zones of silence".
As the coordinator of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, UNESCO is committed to promoting the safety of media workers, ensuring they can carry out their critical work as safely as possible in crisis, conflict and post-conflict scenarios.
UNESCO鈥檚 support to journalists in conflict zones
In its programming, UNESCO and its partners focus on providing holistic support to the safety of journalists, covering physical, psychological and digital safety, promoting access to lifesaving, humanitarian information for local populations affected by crises and conflicts and supporting journalists that have been forced into exile.
While short-term interventions focus on immediate assistance, including establishing hotlines for safety advice, provision of protective equipment or direct financial support, so journalists, their crews and fixers can keep working with some level of safety, more long-term interventions are focused on fostering the resilience of media outlets in conflict-affected countries.
In recent years, UNESCO鈥檚 emergency programmes have covered countries such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Ukraine, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen and journalists affected by the conflict in Gaza.
UNESCO鈥檚 Media Safe Spaces Initiative, established through the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), and in cooperation with the Global Media Defence Fund and the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, addresses the most urgent needs for exiled and displaced journalists, and has supported journalist solidarity centers in Ukraine, shelters in Pakistan (for Afghan journalists), in Sudan, and initiated regional hubs in Costa Rica (for the Latin American region) and Kenya (for East Africa). They have assisted displaced or exiled journalists to settle to safe accommodation, and access safety training journalism equipment, psychological support, legal assistance and immigration or asylum advice, basic medical care, and financial support. Another aspect of UNESCO鈥檚 work is extending support to media in host countries for displaced journalists and media professionals, such as through the Organizations鈥 project Support for Ukrainian Refugees through Media.
Afghanistan
have benefited from employment opportunities. 32% are women.
received lifeline resources.
benefited from capacity-building and support.
The project enabled us to resume our operations. This news brought not only joy and happiness to the staff but also to the female population of Helmand. It was a sign that they were not alone in these challenging times.
Haiti
were assessed on their needs.
In these times of darkness and hopelessness, we wish to share a strong message of solidarity and recognition to those Palestinian journalists who are covering this crisis in such dramatic circumstances. As humanity, we have a huge debt to their courage and commitment to freedom of expression.
Sudan
received financial assistance.
to 36 journalists.
This programme has become a beacon of hope, a lifeline during the darkest times. It is a sanctuary where we can work without fear. It provides a conducive environment for work and study. Basic amenities like internet allow me to stay connected, it also gives me the peace to introspect, regroup and rethink my future
Ukraine
supported through capacity-building and trainings.
received material, financial, editorial or business-development support.
Ukrainian journalists continue to cover the war and important events in Ukraine, despite objectively lower interest from international agencies. However, the overall attention to Ukraine depends on the quality of our media's work. Therefore, I am convinced that Ukrainian journalists who truly professionally perform their job need support: psychological, material, and professional.
These interventions have been made possible through the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, the International Programme for the Development of Communication, the Crisis Response Mechanism of the Global Media Defence Fund, the European Union, the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan and the Government of Japan.
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