The World Broadcasting Unions (WBU) has called for concerted efforts to combat threats and violence against journalists and other media professionals, which it described as an attack on democracy.

At its annual meeting on 19 July, it said the safety of journalists and media professionals had deteriorated over recent years and the Covid-19 pandemic had aggravated the situation in many countries.

“Attacks are getting more severe and include online harassment and threats, but also physical violence.

“Broadcasters’ journalists and production crews are confronted with increasing hostility and violence when they are simply doing their job, reporting from important events, giving balanced information, and putting facts in context.

“This intimidation has a chilling effect on media freedom and the ability of journalists to support the public with trusted and reliable news and information which has been so vital during the pandemic.”

Women journalists were particularly targeted, the WBU said, with UNESCO research pointing to a sharp increase in online violence against them that often turned into online violence.

“Numerous standard-setting statements and practices adopted at international levels recognise off- and online threats and attacks as a serious danger to media freedom, which is a cornerstone of informed, healthy democracies.

“The intimidation of journalists can interfere with the right to freedom of expression and with the right of the public to receive information.

“These internationally agreed statements give guidance in areas of prevention, protection, prosecution, promotion of information, education and raising awareness of the potential threat to media freedom.”

The WBU called on the authorities to guarantee rights and put into practice international principles and measures to protect journalists online and in the field.

This would help ensure journalists and other media professionals could continue to provide a critical service to society at all times.

The WBU serves as a coordinating body for the world’s regional broadcasting unions including the ABU.