UN agencies have drafted an action plan to improve the safety of journalists and combat impunity of crimes against them. The measures in the draft plan include the establishment of a coordinated inter-agency mechanism to handle issues connected to the safety of journalists.
A Draft Action Plan was prepared at a meeting held on September 13 and 14 at Unesco in Paris, under the chairmanship of secretary Union ministry of information and broadcasting Raghu Menon, a statement said.
The draft also foresees the extension of work already conducted by Unesco to prevent crimes against media workers. This notably includes assisting countries to develop legislation and mechanisms favourable to freedom of expression and information, and by supporting their efforts to implement existing international rules and principles, especially the 1997 Unesco General Conference Resolution concerning violence against journalists.
To further reinforce prevention, awareness raising campaigns will also be conducted with member states, civil society, non-governmental organisations and concerned bodies about issues of freedom of expression, journalists’ safety and the danger of IPDC at its next session in March 2012.