Journalism

 Chapter II of the report  (A/HRC/7/14) "presents an overall review of the main issues addressed by the Special Rapporteur throughout his mandate, specifically in the realms of the right of access to information, safety and protection of media professionals, legal restrictions on freedom of opinion and expression as well as the impact of freedom of expression on the realization of other human rights."

Chapter III OF THE REPORT (A/HRC/14/23) "expands on four main themes: (a) general considerations on the freedom of opinion and expression; (b) freedom of expression for groups in need of particular attention and the role of freedom of expression in combating discrimination; (c) permissable restrictions and limitations on freedom of the expression; and (d) protection of journalists and freedom of the press. Chapter IV presents the Special Rapporteur’s conclusions and general recommendations concerning these main subjects.” 

The report (A/HRC/11/4) focuses on the Special Rapporteur’s "vision and priorities for the mandate." Among others, the Rapporteur makes "preliminary reflections on the issue of limitations to the right to freedom of opinion and expression", he included a section on the "right to access to information in situations of extreme poverty", and a section on "safety and protection of media professionals, including the protection of journalists working in conflict zones." 

The report  (A/HRC/20/17) “builds on the previous work of the Special Rapporteur regarding the issue of the protection of journalists and media freedom, and focuses particularly on situations outside of armed conflict.” 

Published by the INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre, based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the report reviews the country’s human rights record in 2024. Drawing from its monthly reports on the repression of dissent, the Centre has documented relevant court cases, legal reforms, the Tamil community activists demanding accountability for war crimes, and discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals. With regard to press freedom, the report refers to cases of persecution, assaults, attempted abductions, and surveillance targeting journalists. The government has also curtailed the public’s right to peaceful assembly. In a blow to digital rights and freedom of expression, last January, the controversial Online Safety Bill was passed by a majority vote, despite warnings from civil society. 

Resolution A/HRC/RES/12/16 on Freedom of opinion and expression. Adopted at the 12th Session.

"The new edition [2014] of the Safety of journalists Guidebook chronicles events undertaken by international organizations, governments and nongovernmental organizations to create a safer environment for members of the media since the original Guidebook was published in 2011."

“The phenomenon [of silenced zones] occurs in several regions of the Americas whose communities are being misinformed and silenced by the violence unleashed by organized crime to ensure their illicit ends, in some cases acting in complicity with local or regional authorities infiltrated by these groups. This report also seeks to deepen the dialogue with state institutions, civil society and the media through the development of recommendations focused on prevention, protection and criminal prosecution of those responsible.”

This report by ARTICLE 19 “provides a Europe-wide overview of lawsuits that are taken to stifle scrutiny and public debate on issues such as corruption, mismanagement of public resources, and human rights violations. Such lawsuits, known as strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are taken by powerful individuals in society not necessarily to win cases, but to drag their critics through legal processes that drain them financially and psychologically and ultimately prevent them from exercising their fundamental rights (including freedom of expression or freedom of assembly and association). This report is based on in-depth research on SLAPP litigation against journalists in 11 countries across Europe over the last four years: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, and the UK. Several trends emerge from the country studies.”

“The murder of journalists for doing their jobs constitutes a grave violation of the right to freedom of expression, both on an individual and collective level. This study seeks to analyze the situation surrounding the violent deaths of reporters and other members of the media throughout the region.”