The online event designed for journalists in the Caribbean is being coordinated by the Public Media Alliance and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, with support from UNESCO.
As multiple Caribbean countries prepare for general elections in 2025 and in the context of a recent spate of online attacks on journalists across the region – sometimes spearheaded by politicians – the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) and the Public Media Alliance (PMA) are coordinating a workshop on journalist safety to take place in February 2025.
The event will consider the practical steps that both journalists and media houses can take to address the current climate. There will also be an exploration of how regulatory frameworks can foster a more tolerant environment. Experts from across civil society and the media industry will be brought in to offer practical actions and tips which attendees will be able to take away and implement.
For the event, the CBU will offer a brief overview of the current landscape in the Caribbean, and some of the challenges that are facing journalists currently. In the following presentations and discussions, these are some of the other themes that the event will address:
- Digital safety best practices
- How to use and approach social media
- What newsroom leaders can do to support journalists
- The benefits of cross-industry networks
- Impact of the regulatory environment
At the event, there will also be an opportunity for participants to either highlight their own approaches or ask any specific questions.
We are pleased to announce that Sylvie Coudray, UNESCO Director of the Division for Freedom of Expression, Media Development and Media and Information Literacy, will be giving the keynote. The full agenda will be announced soon.
Event details
- When? 14.30 – 16.30 GMT / 10.30 – 12.30 AST 27 February
- Where? Online
- How to register? Registration is being coordinated by the CBU. If you want to pre-register, please email info@publicmediaalliance.org and we will contact you once the registration is set up.
- Agenda: The agenda will be announced shortly.
Why is this event being held?
In the last few months, media experts have expressed their concerns regarding the degrading situation of safety of journalists in the Caribbean region.
In Jamaica, alerts have been raised concerning growing political pressure and hostility towards the press, causing the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) to issue a statement concerning the progression of mis- and disinformation attacks on media professionals and media houses, such as RJRGLEANER.
In October, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) denounced threats from the police forces, as the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the Guyanese police force, stated they would resort to a seditious libel law to go after journalists. Additionally, Guyana saw a surge of hostility against journalists from political figures. In the past few months, some media organisations have voiced their concerns over the harassment, assault or intimidation of journalists.
The political and societal instability in Haiti also sees journalists at risk, facing violent repression from gangs who attempt to silence their reports. At the end of December 2024, two journalists were killed and others were injured while covering an official event. The gravity of the situation also highlights the serious problems of impunity for violence against journalists that persist in Haiti.
While freedom of expression is constitutionally protected in most countries in the Caribbean, the protection of journalists and media organisation has remained complex with laws contradicting the principle of press freedom.
This event is being co-hosted by the Caribbean Broadcasting Union and the Public Media Alliance, with support from UNESCO Caribbean.
