The online event featured the first Ministerial meeting of the Media Freedom Coalition. In November 2020, Canada and Botswana co-hosted the second Global Conference for Media Freedom. The projects encourage a better understanding that a free press promotes accountable governance, which effectively meets the needs of its citizens.Ĭanada is committed to making sure that its initiatives align with the UN Plan of Action and are consistent with its overall objective. The journalists work with local civil society and host governments. These Canadian projects train journalists to accurately and responsibly report on human rights in their communities. In November 2020, Canada announced an additional $1 million in funding to the Fund to help enhance media access to legal assistance.Ĭurrently, Canada funds media freedom projects in the Middle East and Africa. In July 2019, Canada announced $1 million in funding to the new Global Media Defence Fund, administered by UNESCO. In June 2019, Canada launched updated guidelines to support human rights defenders around the world with specific guidance for journalists. The coalition launched on September 25, 2019, on the margins of the UN General Assembly. Governments that signed the pledge commit to working together through the newly created Media Freedom Coalition. We are applying the outcomes of this event and, in particular, the Global Pledge on Media Freedom. We co-hosted the Global Conference for Media Freedom, in July 2019, in London, United Kingdom. What Canada is doing to support media freedomĬanada is playing an international leadership role on the issue of media freedom. People need free media to provide them with accurate information and informed analysis to hold governments to account. Media freedomĬanada strongly believes that media freedom remains an important part of democratic societies and essential to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Canada co-sponsored in December 2019 the most recent UN General Assembly resolution on the safety of journalists ( A/RES/74/157). The resolution ensures that evolving international norms take into account contemporary issues facing freedom of expression. In line with the need to protect freedom of expression, Canada led a new resolution in July 2020 alongside other partners to put the issue of freedom of expression back on the agenda of the Human Rights Council. These forums include UN General Assembly, the UN Human Rights Council, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and other international gatherings. Regional consultations on Media FreedomĬanada’s support for freedom of expressionĬanada actively raises concerns about violations of freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, in bilateral and multilateral meetings.
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