Digital technology making censorship easier for authoritarian governments – UN

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says journalists and media workers are facing increasing “politicisation” of their work and threats to their freedom for simply doing their jobs.

Mr Guterres said this in his message to mark World Press Freedom Day on Tuesday.

The World Press Freedom Day is annually observed on May 3, to inform the international community that freedom of the press and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights.

“The day shines a spotlight on the essential work they do, bringing those in power to account, with transparency, ‘often at great personal risk’,” the secretary-general said in a video message. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many media workers have been on the frontlines, providing accurate, science-based reporting to inform decision-makers and save lives.”

He added that journalists who cover climate, biodiversity and pollution “have succeeded in bringing global attention to this triple planetary crisis.”

According to him, the threats to their freedom to go about their reporting and story-telling fairly and accurately, are multiplying daily.

“From global health to the climate crisis, corruption, and human rights abuses, they face increased politicisation of their work and attempts to silence them from many sides,” the UN chief added. “Digital technology has democratised access to information. But it has also created serious challenges.”

Mr Guterres noted that many social media platforms made their money not through increasing access to fact-based reporting, but on boosting engagement, which often means provoking outrage, and spreading lies.

“Media workers in war zones are threatened not only by bombs and bullets, but by the weapons of falsification and disinformation that accompany modern warfare,” he declared. “They may be attacked as the enemy, accused of espionage, detained, or killed, simply for doing their jobs.”

Mr Guterres also mentioned that digital technology was also making censorship easier for authoritarian governments and others, seeking to suppress the truth, with many journalists and editors facing the prospect of their work being taken offline on a daily basis.

Digital technology is also creating new “channels for oppression and abuse,” with women journalists “at particular risk” of online harassment and violence.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has found that nearly three-quarters of women respondents had experienced online violence.

Hacking and illegal surveillance also prevent journalists from doing their jobs.

“The methods and tools change, but the goal of discrediting the media and covering up ³the truth remains the same as ever. Without freedom of the press, there are no real democratic societies. Without freedom of the press, there is no freedom,” he said.

Ten years ago, the UN established a Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, to protect media workers and end impunity for crimes committed against them.

This year’s World Press Freedom Day Global Conference began on Monday, and will run until May 5 in Punta Del Este, Uruguay, built around the theme ‘Journalism under Digital Siege’.

Participants will discuss the impact of the digital era on freedom of expression, the safety of journalists, access to information and privacy.

(NAN)