Seminar on journalists' safety

October 29 2014

The Fritt Ord Foundation, the Norwegian Union of Journalists, Norwegian PEN, the Norwegian Press Association, the Association of Norwegian Editors and the Norwegian UNESCO Commission invite the public to a seminar on journalists’ safety on 29 October from 12.00 -3.30 p.m. at the Fritt Ord Foundation’s premises at Uranienborgveien 2, Oslo.

The occasion is the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

On average, one journalist is killed every week. Media employees are also susceptible to violence, threats, harassment, unlawful detention and kidnappings. Very few attacks on journalists are ever investigated and the perpetrators generally go free. This impunity contributes to self-censorship, depriving the public of important information.

The seminar is open to everyone, and there is no registration.

Attacks on journalists are attacks on freedom of expression. Enabling journalists and media employees to do their jobs without risking their own lives is a prerequisite for democracy. Journalists’ safety and freedom of the press are important fields for the UN, and UNESCO plays a special role. Every time a journalist is killed, the Director General of UNESCO issues a letter of censure. The murders are also listed on this website.

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