Margot Clark-Junkins’ Post

What is the state of press freedom in Europe? To analyse this, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) publishes the World Press Freedom Index every year. The index ranks 180 countries on the ability of journalists to work and report freely and independently.

The media wields significant influence in global affairs, often underestimated in its ability to shape diplomatic outcomes and prevent conflicts. A stark reminder is the Israel-Hamas conflict, where 85 journalists have tragically lost their lives, underscoring the immense risks they face. These numbers surpass those of journalists killed during the Russo-Ukraine War in 2022, highlighting the grave dangers journalists encounter in their pursuit of truth. In today's fast-paced media landscape, it's crucial to recognize the responsibility we bear as professionals. We must ensure that the media serves as more than a mere player in international relations but rather as a crucial catalyst for peace and understanding. Let's honor the fallen journalists by amplifying their voices, supporting independent journalism, and advocating for the safety of those who risk everything to bring us vital stories. Media stands as a powerhouse of peace and can steer preventive diplomacy. Media's voice should not be killed. It should be protected, freed, and amplified. We need the peace, we need the dialogue, we need the understanding and compassion. We need Independent media! Check out our publications here: ludci.eu/publications/ #PowerOfMedia #JournalismMatters #WorldPeace #protectjournalists #mediaeffect #mediaspower #mediashelp #mediasearlywarning ludci Committee to Protect Journalists

Today, on World Press Freedom Day (May 3 2024), we reflect on the critical role of a free press in our society. As we navigate an era marked by the challenges of misinformation and disinformation, often amplified by advanced technologies, the value of trustworthy journalism has never been more important. This day, declared by the United Nations and celebrated every May 3rd, not only commemorates the Windhoek Declaration's commitment to press freedom but also reminds us of the need for transparency and the protection of journalists worldwide. The freedom to report the truth is a pillar of democracy, serving as an immunity against injustice and corruption. Let us advocate for and support a free, independent, and unbiased press. Our informed understanding of the world depends on it! #WorldPressFreedomDay #PressFreedom #UNESCO

"𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀." Today, the independence and rights of the press face challenges globally. While the difficulties continue, and the space to operate is becoming more limited, World Press Freedom Day acknowledges the crucial role that a free and independent press plays in upholding the right to information and holding those in power accountable. 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗱𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰. #WorldPressFreedomDay #IndependentPress

We need to listen to each other. In order to do so, we need to get the unmodified, factual, and as unbiased information as possible to listen to, directly from the ground. This is why free press and free social media communication are so important. www.pax.ngo & www.convergence.ngo

Tomorrow, May 3rd, is World Press Freedom Day across the globe. Here is the World Broadcasting Unions statement to mark the day (with link below): "On World Press Freedom Day, the World Broadcasting Unions encourage everyone to pause and consider the vital work done by journalists around the globe. Every day, reporters risk their personal safety, their physical freedom, and even their lives to share stories of their communities and of humanity worldwide. War, the catastrophic effects of the climate crisis, and other civil strife increase these dangers. As the representative organization of broadcast networks across the globe, we condemn the disregard for media insignia and all deliberate attacks on journalists in these and any other context intended to suppress the truth. Today, we reflect on the important role of media freedom in supporting the public good with facts. Accurate information is essential to informed decision-making, especially in the face of rising disinformation. We applaud all those who pursue the truths we watch, hear and read, and honour the memory of those who have tragically died in the course of this work." https://lnkd.in/dtyNaETz

Since 2008, we have worked to protect freedom of expression in 117 countries, defending journalists, citizen journalists, bloggers and cartoonists in over 1,300 cases through both emergency defence and strategic litigation. Since we began conducting our Journalist Impact Survey in 2018, our support has enabled 95% of respondents to continue their public interest reporting. However, the demand for our support continues to grow. In 2008, Freedom House reported 46% of the world lived in a "free" environment; today, that figure has plummeted to a mere 20%. Looking ahead, we stay committed to defending journalists worldwide, standing against the escalating threats. As the landscape changes, our approach will change to meet challenges head on. See more about our impact over the last 15 years and our strategy going forward through our visual timeline: https://lnkd.in/exay6Rvq

A free press is not a choice, but a necessity. An independent press pushing the right news, reporting from the ground, bringing facts to our living room, pressuring for stronger policies, and necessitating accountability for one’s actions reflects a lot more on our freedom than you may think. #freepress #freedomofexpression #independentnews António Guterres United Nations ludci

My new story for the International Center for Journalists: