Five Journalists Detained in Artvin; Two Released Pending Trial
June 12, 2025
Press Freedom Under Siege: US Journalists Report Violence and Detention at LA Immigration Protests
June 13, 2025
June 13, 2025 – General –
UNESCO unveiled a groundbreaking global initiative aimed at addressing the growing use of legal harassment against journalists, often referred to as “lawfare.” This tactic, which includes the abuse of defamation laws, Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), and other forms of judicial intimidation, is increasingly being used worldwide to suppress independent journalism, exhaust journalists financially, and silence critical reporting.
Recognizing the urgent need for international action, UNESCO’s initiative will adopt a comprehensive approach combining legal support, judicial training, and global awareness to counteract these threats. Drawing from its experience implementing the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and its Observatory of Killed Journalists, UNESCO aims to ensure that legal systems are not manipulated to obstruct press freedom but instead act as protective mechanisms for journalists.
One of the key pillars of the initiative is capacity building for the judiciary. UNESCO will work closely with judges, prosecutors, and legislators worldwide to train them in recognizing and rejecting abusive lawsuits intended to intimidate journalists. These training programs will emphasize international legal standards, human rights principles, and best practices to prevent the misuse of the courts.
Additionally, the initiative will strengthen legal clinics through support from UNESCO’s Global Media Defence Fund. These clinics will provide journalists with pre-publication legal reviews, source protection guidance, fact-checking support, and help with freedom of information requests — critical resources that can help journalists navigate and defend against meritless legal claims.
UNESCO will also create an international repository of legal best practices, compiling relevant court rulings, anti-SLAPP laws, and case studies from over 50 countries. This resource will serve as a guide for national reforms, offering transparent solutions to safeguard media freedom.
The initiative will further raise global awareness by leveraging international observances such as World Press Freedom Day and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists to highlight the dangers of legal harassment.
In an era where journalists face increasing legal threats, especially women who often also endure online harassment, UNESCO’s initiative represents a vital step toward protecting press freedom and ensuring that legal systems support, rather than silence, the media.
Reference –
