Journalists play an essential role in society investigating wrongdoing and advancing transparency. They should never be targeted with unfounded allegations of financial crimes or subject to legal harassment to silence them. This undermines press freedom and freedom of expression for all of us. UNESCO calls on all its Member States to safeguard journalists from this practice.
Audrey AzoulayUNESCO Director-General
Extortion, tax evasion and money-laundering are the most frequently misused charges brought against journalists and media outlets. Other misused charges include blackmail, terrorism financing, fraud, embezzlement and illegally receiving foreign funds. All these attacks seriously erode public trust in journalists and media outlets.
A tactic to deprive journalists or media of resources
Unlike in libel and defamation cases, financial charges can often be brought without establishing any connection between the editorial content produced by the journalist or media outlet, and the charge itself, obscuring the real motive behind the charge.
The instigators of financial charges against journalists and media outlets are most often State actors. Executive powers can also instruct administrative bodies such as fiscal authorities to launch investigations directly, thus bypassing the scrutiny of the judiciary.
The misuse of financial legislation can allow authorities to freeze a journalist or media outlet's assets, reducing their livelihoods and impeding their ability to continue reporting while they await trial. This can lead to the closure of media altogether, when key staff are detained or have their assets frozen. The threat of bankrupting individual journalists or media organizations can also lead to further self-censorship.
Some regions more affected than others
The UNESCO report identifies at least 5 cases in Latin America and the Caribbean over the last three years, compared to only 2 cases during the previous ten years. In Africa, at least 8 occurred between 2019 and 2023, compared to 7 during the previous ten years. Of the cases in these two regions, tax evasion and extortion were the most frequent charges brought and 9 people received jail sentences, the highest sentence being 12 years.
The issue is more prevalent in Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific, particularly Central Asia, with 41 cases reviewed between 2020 and 2024, compared to 19 cases from 2008 to 2020. This trend has been in evidence since the early 2010s. In South Asia, extortion charges have been misused since the mid-2000s, and restricting foreign funding or charging independent media outlets with funding terrorism is also common.
Such harassment frequently comes during times of protests, during electoral campaigns, and in the lead-up to major international events when the host country and government will receive increased international attention.
The proliferation of legal attacks against journalists is a new trend which includes a range of criminal allegations. The data presented in the policy brief is based on what information was publicly available, combined with desk review and interviews with lawyers, journalists and press freedom experts. The actual number of cases is likely to be higher.
The report builds on the analysis produced by UNESCO on the growing trend in the legal harassment of journalists in 2021, and in 2022. UNESCO's data is based on the assessment and analysis of 120 public cases, there is likely to be significant underreporting.
About UNESCO
With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.
"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed" - UNESCO Constitution, 1945.
