As Journalists celebrate World Press Freedom Day around the world today, 3 May, a report issued by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) shows that press freedom is declining as threats to independent journalism increases.

The study highlights that on a daily basis, journalists face killings, attacks, violence, bans and intimidation just by doing their job.

The IFJ listed 93 cases of killings of journalists around the world last year and in 2017, 13 have lost their lives to violence so far.

IFJ members around the world from Manila to Lima through to Kuala Lumpur, Kiev and Ougadougou, were surveyed for the study on their situation of press freedom and the trade union rights in journalism.

The survey found the threat to independent journalism to be in a grim state.

Journalists are still experiencing physical violence and an increase in online threats where they are being pursued relentlessly by widespread invisible and unidentifiable attackers.

Women journalists are often targeted in many countries such as Peru where they are seeing unacceptable violations of their private lives. In Turkey, it is a form of intimidation and has become a daily act of violence by the governing party, its supporters and the security apparatus.  

According to IFJ affiliate DİSK Basın-İş, warnings also come in the form of intimidation and harassment from government ministers to journalists to “watch their steps” as well as internet lynching campaigns by pro-government trolls. Comments by Phillipines President Duterte when asked what actions would be taken to tackle the killings of the journalists in the country, highlights the disregard some leaders have for media freedom. “Just because you’re a journalist, you are not exempted from assassination, if you’re a son of a bitch,” he said.

A major challenge to press freedom is criminal litigation. Repressive regimes are resorting to jailing journalists using suppressive media laws such as criminal defamation and anti-terrorism legislation.

In Turkey for example, such laws are used against journalists and at least 145 journalists are behind bars, including 79 arrested in 2016.

However, journalists unions in more than a dozen countries have led protests, industrial action, campaigns, legal challenges and other actions from strikes to protests to defend media freedom and the labour rights of journalists.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger said that the survey “shows the continuing threats throughout the world to media freedom and journalists rights but it also shows the daily and sometimes heroic work being done by journalists unions and organisations across the globe to defend the professional and social rights of journalists”.

“There can be no clearer demonstration of the need to build professional solidarity in order to protect and extend media freedom.”

IFJ President Philippe Leruth said World Press Freedom Day highlights the raising issues with journalism and media.

“World Press Freedom Day is a chance to both expose those who undermine media freedom or attack independent journalism but also to call on the international community to do more to tackle the threats and put an end to impunity.”

Tonga is not a member of the IFJ. In the Pacific region, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand are members.