Written question asked by Emily Thornberry (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 December 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 December 2018. It was answered by Mark Field (Conservative) on Wednesday, 19 December 2018 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Journalism and Press Freedom

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of calls from Reporters Without Borders for the creation of a UN Special Rapporteur with responsibility for monitoring the protection of journalists and press freedom.

Answer: The UK is fully committed to the promotion of media freedom and the protection of journalists. The Foreign Secretary has announced our intention to launch in 2019 an international campaign to end the climate of impunity and mobilise a consensus behind the protection of journalists worldwide. We are currently considering how this campaign can best add value and reinforce existing mechanisms, including those of the UN and other international organisations. We have held discussions with Reporters Without Borders and are actively reviewing their proposal for a dedicated UN postion on this issue.

Secondary information