Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 2) — Violence against journalists rises during elections when they play a crucial role in reporting the electoral process, a recently released report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said.
While the functions of law enforcement agents or agencies (LEA) and journalists may be different in elections, their roles should be “mutually reinforcing,” the UN agency said.
The report noted that LEAs often see the media as hostile or that they treat LEAs unfairly.
The UNESCO report, titled “The Role of Law Enforcement Agents: Ensuring Safety of Journalists During Public Demonstrations and Elections,” highlighted the relationship between law enforcers and journalists.
It said there were many instances when attacks against members of the media happened at the hands of police and security forces themselves — even during elections.
Between January 2019 and June 2022, at least 759 journalists and media professionals were attacked during election periods in the context of 89 elections across 70 countries around the world, according to the report.
A total of 26,338 media workers were physically assaulted, including nine who were murdered. Meanwhile, 167 were arbitrarily detained, 123 were obstructed in their work, and 131 faced threats and intimidation, it also said.
“Forty-two percent of the total journalists (320) attacked during election periods were attacked by law enforcement agents; 29% of attacked journalists (218) were women,” the UNESCO report said.
It also noted that in the same period, 123 media outlets were attacked ranging from threats, arson, and even suspensions.
The report explained that law enforcement agencies play a key role during elections ensuring safety and security for all participants. The media, meanwhile, is entrusted to provide reports about candidates, and make sure the public is well-informed and keep the electoral process transparent, it also said.
It added that women journalists face an increase in intimidation and violence as they do their jobs.
“Too often, many of these crimes are not reported, as a result of cultural and professional stigma,” said UNESCO.
To counter this, it said more women officers should be involved in the handling of elections and know that women face specific threats in various situations.
“Officers should also improve their response to threats and violence against women politicians and journalists by ensuring that they uphold legislation by investigating and prosecuting crimes quickly, and addressing any gender dimensions of attacks,’ said the report.
UNESCO offered several recommendations to help foster a better relationship between journalists and LEAs. Among them are cultivating a professional relationship, regular training for both to learn how to properly cover elections and demonstrations, and giving attention to the threats faced by women journalists.
