{"id":177754,"date":"2017-05-08T14:21:42","date_gmt":"2017-05-08T12:21:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scm.bz\/annual_archive\/unesco-publishes-report-on-protecting-journalism-sources-for-world-press-freedom-day.html"},"modified":"2017-05-08T14:21:42","modified_gmt":"2017-05-08T12:21:42","slug":"unesco-publishes-report-on-protecting-journalism-sources-for-world-press-freedom-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scm.bz\/en\/unesco-publishes-report-on-protecting-journalism-sources-for-world-press-freedom-day\/","title":{"rendered":"UNESCO publishes report on protecting journalism sources for World Press Freedom Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
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by:\u00a0Sam Berkhead<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Investigative journalists rely on whistleblowers and confidential sources a great deal when seeking to expose corruption and abuses of power. But in the digital age, what legal safeguards exist to protect the privacy of journalists and their sources? How can we prevent these frameworks from deteriorating as press freedom declines<\/a> around the world? What must journalists do to ensure their sources\u2019 safety and confidentiality?<\/p>\n

A new UNESCO study, \u201cProtecting Journalism Sources in the Digital Age<\/a>,\u201d seeks the answers to these questions. Published to mark World Press Freedom Day<\/a>, the study offers a far-reaching look at some of the most pressing challenges facing investigative journalists and whistleblowers.<\/p>\n

Topics covered in the study include mass and targeted surveillance; the over-reach of anti-terrorism and national security legislation; and the outdated nature of analog-era legal frameworks supporting source protection.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe principle and practice of source confidentiality, and the ability of whistleblowers to have confidence in the promise that journalists protect sources, are under increasing threat,\u201d wrote Julie Posetti<\/a>, study author and lead researcher. \u201cAction is required urgently to address the problem and I hope that this study will assist in the process of raising awareness and prompting reform.\u201d<\/p>\n

The survey looked at data from 121 UNESCO member states between 2007 and 2015 to paint a picture of journalism source protection across the globe. Among its findings:<\/p>\n