Human Rights and Journalism

Journalism is a prime beneficiary of the human rights system that was established globally after World War II. Meanwhile, freedom of the press (or media freedom) is considered to be a cornerstone of all other human rights, as it enables their very possibility by providing a platform to defend their existence and flourishing. Journalism empowers citizens to criticize flaws in the implementation of human rights and make their demands to have the rights protect the public.

Although derived from the fundamental human right of freedom of expression, freedom of the media has become—at least in international affairs—a human right of its own. It remains the most important and visible manifestation of the right to free expression. There are particular reasons for the universal protection to freely ...