Issue Briefs

The issue briefs in the World Trends Report series offer timely insights into new and evolving challenges in the field of freedom of expression and media development.

Drawing from the expertise of specialists in the given topic, they offer key summaries of urgent issues as well as recommendations for action.

Issue briefs are funded by UNESCO's Multi-donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists. Support our work, visit thewebsite.

National safety mechanisms for journalists: combatting impunity and strengthening national structures for the prevention, protection and prosecution of crimes committed against journalists, media workers and social media producers
Brini, Daniel
UNESCO
2025
0000393504
The misuse of financial laws to pressure, silence and intimidate journalists and media outlets
Pittman , Edward
UNESCO
Juega, Elisa
2024
0000391483
AI and the future of journalism: an issue brief for stakeholders
Schiffrin, Anya
UNESCO
2024
0000391214
Journalism for development: the role of journalism promoting democracy and political accountability and sustainable development
Stiglitz, Joseph E.
UNESCO
Schiffrin, Anya
Groves, Dylan W.
2024
0000389301
Data sharing to foster information as a public good: the case of media viability and safety of journalists in the digital ecosystem
UNESCO
2023
0000387896
Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in an Era of Generative AI
Chowdhury, Rumman
UNESCO
Lakshmi, Dhanya
2023
0000387483
Platform problems and regulatory solutions: findings from a comprehensive review of existing studies and investigations
Berger, Guy
UNESCO
Gillwald, Alison
Orembo, Elizabeth
Diouf, Dominique
Garcia, Juan Manual
2023
With support of the UNESCO Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP)
0000385813
The “misuse” of the judicial system to attack freedom of expression: trends, challenges and responses
Soraide, Rosario
UNESCO
2022
With funding from the UNESCO Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP) and by Open Society Foundations.
0000383832
Journalism and whistleblowing: an important tool to protect human rights, fight corruption, and strengthen democracy
Bertoni, Eduardo
UNESCO
2022
With support from the UNESCO Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP)
0000381406
Safety of journalists covering trauma and distress 'Do no harm'
Healey, Jo
UNESCO
2022
UNESCO
0000381200
Finding the funds for journalism to thrive: policy options to support media viability
Schiffrin, Anya
UNESCO
Posetti, Julie
Edgerton, Francesca
Bell, Emily
2022
UNESCO
0000381146
Freedom of expression and the safety of foreign correspondents: trends, challenges and responses
Horsley, William
UNESCO
Selva, Meera
2021
UNESCO
0000378300
Letting the sun shine in: transparency and accountability in the digital age
Puddephatt, Andrew
UNESCO
2021
UNESCO
0000377231
Safety of journalists covering protests: preserving freedom of the press during times of turmoil; Regional highlights, July - December 2020
UNESCO
2021
UNESCO
0000377346
The right to information in times of crisis: access to information – saving lives, building trust, bringing hope!
Mendel, Toby
UNESCO
Notess, Laura
2020
UNESCO
0000374369
Safety of journalists covering protests : preserving freedom of the press during times of turmoil
Smyth, Frank
UNESCO
2020
UNESCO
0000374206
Journalism, press freedom and COVID-19
UNESCO
2020
UNESCO
0000373573