Journalism under digital surveillance

The global theme for World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2022 is "Journalism under Digital Siege" celebrating the fundamental principles of press freedom, taking stock of press freedom around the world, aiming to defend the media from attacks on their independence and paying tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

UNESCO and the Republic of Uruguay will host the annual World Press Freedom Day Global Conference in a hybrid format in Punta Del Este, Uruguay from 2-5 May 2022. Under the theme global theme, the digital era's impact on freedom of expression, the safety of journalists, access to information and privacy will be discussed. The conference will develop concrete solutions to address the threats posed by increased surveillance to press freedom and privacy.

World Press Freedom Day 2022 is an opportunity to put into action the commitments made by all UNESCO member states as regards the principles of the Windhoek +30 Declaration. The Windhoek +30 Declaration continues to be relevant in regard to its recognition that press freedom, independence, and pluralism are prerequisites to guarantee information as a public good that serves as a shared resource for the whole of humanity.

Furthermore, the day draws attention to the multifaceted ways in which digital threats such as surveillance by state and non-state actors, big data collection, hacking and artificial intelligence (AI) impact journalism, freedom of expression and privacy. It will also address the challenges to media viability in digital times, the digital attacks on journalists, and the consequences of all this on public trust in digital communications.

WPFD commemorations across the globe will act as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.

The latest UNESCO World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development report analyses the state of media freedom, pluralism, independence, and safety of journalists over the past five years. During the assessed period, journalist killings globally have nearly halved in some regions, but increased in others. In Africa a significant decrease in journalists' killings was noted from 69% (2011-2015) to 37% (2016-2020).

It also highlights how surveillance and hacking are compromising journalism. Surveillance can expose information gathered by journalists including from whistle-blowers, and violates the principle of source protection, which is universally considered a prerequisite for freedom of the media and is enshrined in UN Resolutions. Surveillance may also harm the safety of journalists by disclosing sensitive private information, which could be used for arbitrary judicial harassment or attack. This was vividly shown in exposés by investigative journalists and researchers, giving rise to UN human rights experts calling for a temporary global moratorium on the sale and transfer of surveillance technology.

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. UNESCO together with the Government of Uruguay will host the Global Conference for the celebration of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) on the second of May 2022 to the fifth May 2022. The conference will be in a hybrid format.

UNESCO has been involved in so many activities in supporting media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom and a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a story.