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STORY: OHCHR / COVID-19 MEDIA RESTRICTIONS
TRT: 4:15
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/NATS
DATELINE: 24 APRIL 2020 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
FILE
1. Aerial shot, Palais Wilson
24 APRIL 2020 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is alarmed by restrictive measures imposed by several States against the independent media, as well as the arrest and intimidation of journalists, given how important the free flow information is in fighting COVID-19. To quote her words: some states have used the outbreak of the new coronavirus as a pretext to restrict information and stifle criticism. A free media is always essential, but we have never depended on it more than we do during this pandemic, when so many people are isolated and fearing for their health and livelihoods. Credible, accurate reporting is a lifeline for all of us. The High Commissioner also draws attention to how some political leaders made statements about journalists and media workers that have created a hostile environment for their safety and their ability to do their work.”
FILE
3. Aerial shot, Palais Wilson
24 APRIL 2020 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“Nearly 40 journalists have reportedly been arrested or charged in the Asia-Pacific, Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa for reports critical of the State response to the pandemic -- or for simply for questioning the accuracy of official numbers of cases and deaths related to COVID-19. The actual number of media violations and arrests is probably far higher than that. There have also been reports of journalists disappearing after publishing coverage critical of the COVID-19 response, and several news outlets have been closed by the authorities because of their reporting.
As the High Commissioner says “This is no time to blame the messenger. Rather than threatening journalists or stifling criticism, States should encourage healthy debate concerning the pandemic and its consequences. People have a right to participate in decision-making that affects their lives, and an independent media is a vital medium for this. Being open and transparent, and involving those affected in decision-making builds public trust, and helps ensure that people participate in measures designed to protect their own health and that of the wider population it also increases accountability. In addition, independent media provide medical professionals and relevant experts a platform to speak freely and share information with each other and the public.
The UN’s human rights chief is also echoing the concerns raised by the Secretary-General about the “dangerous epidemic of misinformation” around the pandemic which has generated confusion and more ill-health. She pays tribute to the journalists working in the independent media whose fact-checking has helped provide truth and clarity which is so essential.
Journalists are playing an indispensable role in our response to this pandemic, but unlike the grave threats posed to other essential workers, the threats media workers face are entirely avoidable – it is not caused by the pandemic itself, it is caused by other people. Protecting journalists from harassment, threats, detention or censorship helps keep us all safe.”
FILE
5. Aerial shot, Palais Wilson
24 APRIL 2020 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“On the issue of leaders and on verbal abuse. Yes. I think it's incredibly important. We've said this in the past as well. You know, the messages the public get from political leaders can be very dangerous. I mean, this can lead to people being physically attacked. So the messages they're putting out about journalists and so in a number of countries are disturbing”
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet “is alarmed by restrictive measures imposed by several States against the independent media” reporting onCOVID-19 pandemic, said her spokesperson Rupert Colville in Geneva on Friday (24 Apr).
“Some states have used the outbreak of the new coronavirus as a pretext to restrict information and stifle criticism,” Bachelet said in a statement read by Colville. “A free media is always essential, but we have never depended on it more than we do during this pandemic, when so many people are isolated and fearing for their health and livelihoods.”
Colville further said “nearly 40 journalists have reportedly been arrested or charged in the Asia-Pacific, Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa for reports critical of the State response to the pandemic -- or for simply for questioning the accuracy of official numbers of cases and deaths related to COVID-19. The actual number of media violations and arrests is probably far higher than that.”
The spokesperson said “there have also been reports of journalists disappearing after publishing coverage critical of the COVID-19 response, and several news outlets have been closed by the authorities because of their reporting.”
According to the International Press Institute there have been over 130 alleged media violations since the start of the outbreak, including more than 50 reported instances of restrictions on access to information, censorship and excessive regulation of misinformation. It reported that nearly 40 journalists have been arrested or charged in the Asia-Pacific, Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa for reports critical of the State response to the pandemic or for simply questioning the accuracy of official numbers of cases and deaths related to COVID-19. The actual number of media violations and arrests is probably far higher.
