Coalition Calls for Stronger Protection of Journalists on World Press Freedom Day

The Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) has issued an urgent global call for stronger protections for journalists, warning that media freedom is facing what observers describe as one of its gravest threats in decades.

The appeal was made in observance of World Press Freedom Day, marked this year under the theme “Shaping a Future at Peace.” The commemorations focused attention on the increasingly dangerous conditions confronting journalists, particularly those reporting from conflict zones and operating under repressive governments.

In a formal statement, the Coalition stressed that the safety of journalists is closely tied to global peace, democratic governance and national security. It noted that a free, independent and pluralistic press remains essential for exposing wrongdoing, promoting accountability and fostering informed public discourse.

The MFC, an intergovernmental partnership made up of 46 countries, including Sierra Leone, said member states must go beyond public declarations by strengthening domestic legal protections for journalists and ensuring accountability for attacks against media workers.

Sierra Leone’s membership in the Coalition highlights the country’s regional commitment to advancing press freedom and protecting democratic values. The statement also serves as a reminder to participating nations to reinforce safeguards for journalists at home while advocating for media rights internationally.

According to the Coalition, journalists today face a growing range of threats, including physical violence, legal intimidation and digital surveillance.

Among the key concerns raised were:

Physical Safety: Rising numbers of journalists killed, injured or targeted while covering wars and civil unrest.

Legal Harassment: Increased use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) aimed at silencing investigative reporting.

Digital Attacks: Deployment of spyware and other technologies to monitor journalists and compromise confidential sources.

The Coalition said the theme “Shaping a Future at Peace” reflects the belief that lasting peace cannot be achieved without a free press capable of documenting human rights abuses, exposing corruption and creating space for dialogue.

Concluding its message, the Media Freedom Coalition urged the international community to move from rhetoric to concrete action by implementing effective measures to punish those who target journalists.

It maintained that protecting journalists is not only a defence of media freedom, but also an investment in truth, transparency and the peaceful resolution of global tensions.