World Press Freedom Day: Journalism Under Digital Siege

Celebration of the World Press Freedom Day under the theme

“Journalism Under Digital Siege”

28 April 2022, Radisson Blu Hotel Verdun – Beirut

UNESCO Beirut Office is organizing, in cooperation with Social Media Exchange (SMEX), the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day (3 May), which comes this year, under the title of “Journalism Under Digital Siege”, on Thursday 28 April 2022 at the Radisson Blu - Verdun Hotel in Beirut, from 9:30AM until 1:00PM.

This year’s celebration will focus on the theme “Journalism Under Digital Siege”, to spotlight how recent developments in technological means of monitoring and surveillance impact journalism and freedom of expression. In fact, freedom of expression and the right to privacy are among the human rights most impacted by the digital transformation.

While in the pre-Internet world, freedom of expression and privacy were thought to only interact when journalists reported on public figures in the name of the right to know, the rights have become increasingly interdependent. This linkage reflects digital business models and the development of new surveillance technologies and large-scale data collection and retention. The changes pose risks in terms of reprisals against media workers and their sources, thereby affecting the free exercise of journalism.

Under this year’s theme, the celebration will also discuss how these developments impact the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, data protection and privacy, by looking into big data related issues such as the transparency of Internet companies, digital footprints, data retention and artificial intelligence.

Accordingly, the World Press Freedom Day 2022 will address the following topics:

Session one: Media freedom, spyware, safety of journalists and the right to privacy in the digital era

Moderator: Ms. Ranim Bou Khzam, UNESCO Beirut Office
Speakers: Mr. Jack Bakaev, Internet Society (ISOC) Ms. Lama Fakih, Human Rights Watch Mr. Abed Kataya, Social Media Exchange (SMEX)

Session two: Media challenges in a culture of impunity

Moderator: Ms. Rouba El-Helou, Notre Dame University (NDU)
Speakers: Ms. Hala Bejjani, International Media Support (IMS) Ms. Roula Mikhael, Maharat Foundation Ms. Roula Najem, SEEDS for Legal Initiatives Mr. Edmond Sassine, Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI)