World Press Freedom Day Conference Panel Session: Digital Authoritarianism and technology-facilitated threats to journalists and human rights defenders

On May 3, the Freedom Online Coalition and Media Freedom Coalition hosted a joint panel session during the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day Conference on rising digital authoritarianism and its impact on media freedom and the safety of journalists, media workers, and human rights defenders.

This year’s Conference, hosted by UNESCO together with the Government of Uruguay, focused on the theme “Journalism Under Digital Siege” and the digital era’s impact on freedom of expression, the safety of journalists, access to information and privacy.

Lea Kaspar of the FOC’s Support Unit moderated the panel featuring initial remarks by Wopke Hoekstra, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, followed by a discussion with:

• Can Yeginsu, Deputy Chair of the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom
• Irene Khan, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression
• Jeffrey Marder, Executive Director of the Human Rights and Indigenous Affairs Policy Division, Global Affairs Canada
• Quinn McKew, Executive Director, ARTICLE 19
• Veronica Ferrari, Global Policy Advocacy Coordinator, Association for Progressive Communications

During the session, panelists discussed the threats posed by digital authoritarianism and the role governments and industry should play in defending freedom of expression in online and offline contexts.

The Conference took place in a hybrid format, and the panel session recording is available to view for registered participants via the Conference event platform.