Uruguay announces that it will host the annual Global Conference Uruguay on World Press Freedom Day 2022.
The impact of surveillance technologies on freedom of expression, the safety of journalists, access to information, and privacy will be the focus of next year’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), held under the theme Journalism Under Surveillance on May 2-5, 2022 along with the cooperation of UNESCO, it said.
The World Press Freedom Day 2022 Global Conference will bring together policymakers, award-winning journalists, media representatives, specialized NGOs, activists, stakeholders in the field of AI and ICTs, and legal experts to explore and develop concrete solutions to current and emerging challenges to press freedom and privacy.
The conference will focus on how recent developments in technological means of monitoring and surveillance impact freedom of expression, the safety of journalists, access to information and privacy.
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Government of Uruguay will offer to international participants a cultural gala in Montevideo, and a field trip to the Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento, inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Uruguay said.
The topic was announced at COLPIN, Latin America’s major gathering of investigative journalists which took place in Canelones, Uruguay.
UNESCO member states endorse Windhoek+30 Declaration on Information as a Public Good.
The conference will take place in a hybrid format, but – conditions allowing – likely to “we hope to see all the participants in person” in the spectacular scenery of Punta del Este, Uruguay.
Our ambition is to bring the global World Press Freedom Day community back together to network and share during the conference and beyond, said Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO, Assistant Director General for Communication and Information and Dr. Pablo da Silveira, Minister of Education and Culture of Uruguay.
The 41st session of the UNESCO General Conference endorsed the principles of the Windhoek+30 Declaration on Information as a Public Good on 18 November 2021.
The Windhoek+30 Resolution inter alia commemorates the continued relevance, legacy and role of the 1991 Windhoek Declaration as a catalyst for ongoing action to promote free, independent and pluralistic media.
The three principles in the Windhoek+30 Declaration highlight the need to address the following key challenges: the economic viability of journalism; opacity of Internet companies; and the need to improve media and information literacy among citizens to foster informed engagement with digital communications issues.
UN Special Rapporteur calls for input for 2022 report on Press Freedom and Safety of Journalists
The 2022 report by Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression, will highlight the key trends that threaten press/media freedom and viability and the safety of journalists online and offline.
The Special Rapporteur is inviting Member States, international organizations, national institutions, media organizations, digital technology and social media companies, human rights organizations, civil society, scholars and other interested stakeholders to share their views on the topic of her report.
Submissions may be sent in English, French or Spanish to ohchr-freedex@un.org
