IGF 2014

A worrying and widely observed trend is that websites of news media, human rights organizations, critical bloggers, and other individuals or organizations disseminating information have increasingly become targets of illegitimate surveillance, hacking and attacks from various sources ranging from State-based actors to third parties. It falls into an emerging Internet governance concern to explore the digital safety of journalists and its significant human rights implication, particularly on freedom of expression and related privacy protection.

Built on its previous discussion as triggered at IGF 2013, UNESCO takes the occasion to launch the new research which provides a qualitative picture of cases around the world linked to guaranteeing the safety of journalists and other media actors using digital media as well as the guidelines, good practices and policy recommendations on how to respect the right to freedom of expression in the digital environment. The workshop will discuss these outcomes of the publication and how to use them to inform and empower stakeholders on the digital safety protection of journalists and new media actors. It also contributes to Organization’s on-going efforts to implement the UN Inter-Agency Plan on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

Agenda

5’ opening remarks by Chair
10’ Presentation by Ms Jennifer Henrichsen, UNESCO commissioned researcher
5’ Comment by Mr Geoffrey King, Internet Advocacy Coordinator and Digital Security Specialist, Committee to Protect Journalists, United States of America
5’ Comment by Mr Eduardo Bertoni, Researcher, Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information (CELE) of the University of Palermo, Argentina
5’ Comment by Ms Laura Tresca, Brazil Freedom of Expression Officer, Article 19
30’ Discussions