On International Women’s Day, OSCE Media Freedom Representative stresses the importance to ensure safety of female journalists

VIENNA, 8 March 2022 – Today, International Women’s Day, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) Teresa Ribeiro, called upon all participating States to adopt a gender-responsive and intersectional approach in all measures to ensure the safety of journalists, including in conflict situations.
“All OSCE participating States have recognized the distinct risks faced by women journalists in relation to their work, and committed themselves to refrain from any violence against journalists used to suppress their work, including in conflict situations,” stated the Representative, adding that “in this regard, women journalists’ experiences and concerns need to be addressed effectively”.
With the 2018 Ministerial Decision on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women, OSCE participating States have joined consensus on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, one of the most pervasive impediments to the full enjoyment of their human rights. The Decision highlights the need for specific measures to prevent violence against women engaged in professional activities with public exposure, such as women journalists. During war and conflict, patriarchal structures are often strengthened, which also affects journalists working in conflict areas and reporting from war. “Overall, female journalists are more exposed to safety threats, often excluded from their own security assessment and experience limited access to conflict zones. In any crises and conflict situation, marginalized voices are at greater risk”, said Ribeiro.
The OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on Media Freedom and Gender Equality in March 2021 underlined the importance of unhindered access for women journalists to report from conflict zones, as well as the need to address gender discrimination, hate speech and digital violence against journalists. It also stressed the imperative to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which urges all actors to increase women’s participation and incorporate gender perspectives in all peace and security efforts. Physical violence, online attacks, discrimination and hatred often accelerate during conflict situations and disproportionally affect women journalists and journalists with intersecting identities, resulting in the silencing of their voices, their reporting, and their perspectives.
“On this International Women’s Day, we need to uphold our commitments to protect and empower female journalists in all situations and circumstances, underlining the importance of their safety, both online and offline,” said Ribeiro.
The RFoM offers assistance and support to State and non-State actors across the OSCE region to improve the digital safety of women journalists through the Safety of Female Journalists Online (#SOFJO) project. The #SOFJO Resource Guide is available at www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/471903.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.