Pursuing Justice to Protect the Lives of Journalists

Violence against journalists has a chilling effect that can lead to journalistic self-censorship, with profound implications for citizens’ access to high-quality information. As the Council of Europe declares “at the center of the supreme value of democracy and human rights is the right of everyone to receive and impart information.” Threats to journalists directly undermine the public's fundamental right to information and to engage in public debate. Research demonstrates that threats against journalists are a significant predictor of self-censorship and future human rights abuses, reduce the volume of journalism, and affect the tone of the journalism. Over time, violence also reduces the number of journalists and news outlets. 

This edition of the DRG Learning Digest examines the following topics:

• Where are Journalists Most at Risk? Hybrid Regimes 
• Engaging the Traditional Justice Sector to Protect Journalists
• When the Justice System Falters: Pioneering Grassroots Approaches