No to Secrets: Journalists Worldwide Demand End to Information Blackouts

September 27, 2024 – General – 

On the occasion of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) launched a global campaign titled “No to Secrets,” urging governments around the world to stop restricting access to public information. The campaign highlights the vital role of transparency in upholding democracy, combating corruption, and empowering citizens to hold their leaders accountable.

In recent years, many governments have tightened controls over information, using national security, anti-terrorism laws, and state secrecy provisions to shield official documents and data from public view. These legal and bureaucratic barriers are often used to prevent journalists from accessing records, attending public events, or reporting on matters of public interest. The result is a growing culture of secrecy that undermines the press and the public’s right to know.

The IFJ spotlighted five emblematic cases of information suppression across different regions, underscoring the global scale of the problem. One of the most alarming examples is Israel’s blockade on independent reporting from Gaza. At least 127 Palestinian journalists have been killed during the conflict, and foreign journalists have been barred from entering the area, resulting in a one-sided flow of information that distorts public understanding of the war.

The campaign also calls attention to widespread violations of source protection. Journalists are increasingly pressured to reveal confidential sources or face legal consequences, eroding the foundation of investigative journalism. In many cases, whistleblowers and informants risk their freedom or lives to expose wrongdoing, yet are left unprotected by weak or nonexistent safeguards.

Through the “No to Secrets” campaign, the IFJ is demanding that governments take concrete steps to guarantee access to information. This includes enforcing transparency laws, stopping interference in journalistic work, and ensuring legal protection for journalists and their sources.

As misinformation and propaganda rise globally, the ability of journalists to report freely and access accurate data is more essential than ever. The IFJ warns that without a renewed commitment to openness and accountability, democratic societies risk sliding into opacity and authoritarianism, where truth becomes the first casualty.

Reference – 

Access to Information: “No to secrets,” urge journalists around the world – IFJ