Academic conference on the safety of journalists 2019
21 January 2019
Important Dates:
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Deadline for submissions of full papers: 22 April 2019.
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Academic conference 1 May 2019
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World Press Freedom Day global conference: 1-3 May 2019
Background:
Journalists throughout the world are increasingly faced with threats that range from harassment to arbitrary detention, kidnapping, physical attacks, and in the most extreme cases, killing. Threats to journalist occur both online and offline and women journalists are particularly affected by gender-specific forms of attacks, such as sexual harassment and violence.
During the 23rd edition of the WPFD celebration (2016, Helsinki, Finland), the Journalism Safety Research Network (JSRN) was launched, coinciding with the first edition of the Academic Conference. The network aims to strengthen the field of research and ultimately, contribute to safer environments for journalist by creating a space where multidisciplinary research on the safety of journalists can be developed, shared and promoted worldwide.
UNESCO is the mandated agency within the United Nations that promotes freedom of expression and freedom of the press as well as leads the coordination of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. Our statistics show that in the past decade more than 800 journalists, media workers and social media reporters have been killed.
Academic Conference 2019:
Within the framework of the 26th edition of the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) celebration, UNESCO, the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University and the research group MEKK (media, war and conflict) at OsloMet University, in partnership with the University of Malaga and Sheffield University will convene the fourth edition of the Academic Conference on the Safety of Journalists.
WPFD 2019, is jointly organized by UNESCO, the Government of the Federal Democratic of Ethiopia and the African Union Commission, under the title, “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation” and will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 1-3 May. The Academic Conference is scheduled to take place on May 1, 2019 in the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC).
This annual academic conference brings together researchers from different disciplines working on issues related to the safety of journalists. It also offers the possibility for researchers to connect with decision-makers and media practitioners.
This year we hope to improve the dynamics of the conference by inviting non-academics including representatives from civil society organisations to participate in the event as ‘Respondents’. The role of the Respondent is to offer critique on the findings presented and suggestions on how the research can be used to support the work of the different stakeholders, including media organisations, governments and CSOs working towards shared strategies and objectives of promoting and defending the safety of journalists, freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
We hope this added approach to the conference will contribute to our efforts for paving the way for greater integration and potential collaborations, or at the very lease raise awareness about areas of research and interests between different stakeholder groups.
Panels:
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Panel A: Safety of Women Journalists
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Panel B: The Safety of Journalists in Times of Elections
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Panel C: Freedom of the Expression and Freedom of the Press: Internet shutdowns |Debunking disinformation| Governance and Justice
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Panel Challenges to the Overall Safety of Journalists
For more information, please contact:
Sandra Sharman
For more general information about the World Press Freedom Day celebration, please click here