Journalists as human rights defenders: a report by UN rapporteur Sekaggya

Many journalists cover human rights stories. Some do so because human rights are part of many stories. Reporting on demonstrations, protests, abuses, is part of the daily news diet. And through this work journalists contribute to expose violence and denounce its perpetrators, puttting the issue of human rights on the news agenda and exerting pressure on governments or intergovernmental organizations to take action.
Other journalists however cover human rights issues much more systematically and proactively. They investigate stories of exploitation or oppression. They keep a constant monitoring of issues that are related to the protection of rights. Some even practise forms of crusading journalism in order to expose abuses or protect victims of human rights violations.
These journalists are considered as human rights defenders by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, who was presenting yesterday her report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Underlining the journalists' vulnerability to threats and attacks Ms Sekaggya has insisted on the states' responsibility in ensuring the safety and freedom of the press in reporting. A large part of her report (from item 25 to item 59) is devoted to presenting the role of journalists as human rights defenders and the risks they incur.
For further information, read the full report at 

http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G11/175/06/PDF/G1117506.pdf?OpenElement