UK works on National Action Plan to ensure safety of journalists

The UK government on Monday held the first meeting of a new committee to make sure journalists can operate without fear of violence or abuse.

The National Committee For The Safety of Journalists, co-chaired by UK Minister for Media and Data John Whittingdale and Minister for Safeguarding Victoria Atkins, brought together representatives from government, journalism, policing, prosecution services and the civil service to work in collaboration to make sure journalists are free from threats and violence.

The committee said its first task will be to develop a National Action Plan, which sets out a framework through which the safety of journalists can be ensured and they can be protected from physical harm and threats of violence.

“The UK has been at the forefront of the global campaign for media freedom but it is also essential that we protect the safety of journalists at home,” said Whittingdale.

“The rise in misinformation during the pandemic has highlighted once again the valuable role played by journalists working for reputable news organisations who produce accurate and balanced high-quality journalism. We must do all we can to ensure that they can carry this out free from threats and intimidation,” he said.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said that recent events, such as attacks on journalists reporting on protests and threats to members of the press in Northern Ireland, have exposed the fact that those who play an important role in the democratic process are not always safe.

The National Committee For The Safety of Journalists will meet twice a year and be tasked with monitoring progress in the area.

“News media fulfil an extremely important role in our democracy and it is right that we do everything we can to protect them from harm,” said Victoria Atkins.

As well as operating within and supporting journalists in the UK, the new committee will invite observers to provide international perspectives.

Ian Murray, Executive Director of the Society of Editors said: “The Society of Editors is pleased to be able to support and play a role in the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists.

“Journalism is not a crime nor is it at odds with society. Indeed it plays an important role in keeping society free, and yet increasingly we see journalists targeted for violence and abuse. This committee's role in pinpointing action to combat this is both welcome and of vital importance,” Murray said.

Rebecca Vincent, Director of International Campaigns at Reporters Without Borders, added: “Reporters Without Borders is pleased to see this committee moving forward at a time when journalists are facing greater risks than ever before.

“We look forward to working with the committee to ensure better protections for journalists throughout the UK – and that the UK government is leading by example in its efforts to champion media freedom globally.” The UK initiative follows the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the world's largest security oriented inter-governmental organisation, urging member-states in April last year to establish “a national committee for safety of journalists” in the wake of attacks, threats, and murders of journalists around the world.