As part of World Press Freedom Day (May 3rd), UNESCO recalls that the situation of journalists in Haiti is increasingly alarming. Since the deterioration of the security situation, 11 media workers have been killed in the field since January 2022, others kidnapped or injured, highlighting that Haiti has become one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.

Today, alarmed journalists are fleeing the country, reducing their media coverage or leaving the profession altogether. Media outlets are vandalized, premises ransacked by bandits and equipment completely destroyed. Recent attacks include acts of vandalism against the daily "Le Nouvelliste" https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42205-haiti-news-zapping.html

To respond to the most urgent needs of Haitian journalists, UNESCO has been supporting security and risk management training for more than 50 media workers for several months. Faced with a further deterioration of the situation in the country and on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Organization is providing the necessary safety equipment, including gas masks, helmets and tactical vests. This support was made possible thanks to the crisis response mechanism of the Global Media Defense Fund.

According to a survey conducted by UNESCO among 86 Haitian journalists:

76% have faced threats related to their profession;

62% have faced verbal and online harassment;

30% were victims of physical threats;

54% indicated that these threats had an impact on their journalistic work.

These attacks threaten press freedom and seriously hamper the ability of journalists to carry out their profession and provide vital information. Haiti increasingly risks becoming a "zone of silence", with serious consequences on access to information for the local population and the entire world.

Journalists must be able to exercise their essential role in guaranteeing the population's right to information in a crisis context. UNESCO reiterates its condemnation for the death of journalist Ricot Jean https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39396-haiti-news-zapping.html and calls for an end to the violence as well as the protection of journalists in Haiti.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41055-haiti-flash-haiti-among-the-34-most-dangerous-countries-in-the-world-gpi-2023.html

HL/ HaitiLibre