Global Challenges to Freedom of Expression and Ending Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

On Friday 2nd November ARTICLE 19, Fritt Ord, the Norwegian Union of Journalists and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host a special event in Oslo to mark the fourth International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

Prominent press freedom advocates and journalists, as well as leading agencies and the Government, will come together to discuss crucial challenges concerning the protection and safety of journalists around the world.

Ine Eriksen Søreide, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will open the event. She will be interviewed by Kjersti Løken Stavrum on the Government’s promotion of human rights as a key component of Norway’s foreign and development policy.

Thomas Hughes, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19, will give attendees an exclusive look at the XpA Report 2017/18, a new metric, which enables us to evaluate the state of freedom of expression and information around the world.

The day will continue with two interactive panel discussions, where press freedom advocates from Mexico, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will share their experiences and work to protect journalists and address impunity.

The panel discussion “Prevent and Protect” will focus on the preventative measures to adopt and maintain enabling environments for journalists, media workers and bloggers, ensuring that national laws and authorities do not interfere with their independence and work.

The panel discussion “Prosecute” will discuss access to justice and national plans for addressing impunity, through proper investigations and engagement in judicial processes, to ensure effective remedies for victims and their families.

To register your attendance, please e-mail registrering@frittord.no

Detailed programme
9:00
Registration

9:30
Welcome address
Knut Olav Åmås, Director, Fritt Ord

9:35
Human rights as a key component of Norway’s foreign and development policy
Ine Eriksen Søreide, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

9.40
Interview
Kjersti Løken Stavrum in discussion with Ine Eriksen Søreide

10:00
Break

10:20
The XpA Report 2017/18
Thomas Hughes and Quinn McKew present ARTICLE 19’s new metric, which enables us to evaluate the state of freedom of expression and information around the world.

11:00
Panel Discussion: Prevent & Protect
A discussion on the preventative measures to adopt to maintain enabling environments for journalists, media workers and bloggers, ensuring national laws and authorities do not interfere with their independence and work.

Facilitator: Åshild Eidem, Norwegian writer & journalist

Panelists:
Jean-Pierre Ilboudo, Head of UNESCO Namibia
Ahmedur Rashid Chowdury, Bangladeshi publisher & writer

11:50
Lunch

12:30
Panel Discussion: Prosecute
Panelists will discuss access to justice and national plans for addressing impunity, through proper investigations and engagement in judicial processes, to ensure effective remedies for victims and their families.

Facilitator: Jeremy Dear, Deputy General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists

Panelists:
Ana Lorena Delgadillo Perez, Director, la Fundación por la Justicia, Mexico
Ranga Kalansooriya, Advisor Asia/Pacific Affairs, International Media Support

13: 20
Closing Remarks
Thomas Hughes, Executive Director, Article 19
Knut Olav Åmås, Director, Fritt Ord

The event will be live streamed here.