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Let me start by expressing my sincere appreciation to Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson and Christophe Deloire for their briefings and valuable insights, and Marianne Pearl for sharing her very personal and deeply moving perspective with us today. What we just heard reaffirmed my conviction that this debate on the protection of journalists in conflict situations is very timely. We rely, more and more, on real time information in our decision making. It is especially important  in situations of armed conflict, where our ability to mobilise international response and assistance depends on knowing the facts as they happen. Journalists are our eyes and ears on the ground. Sadly, our being informed comes increasingly at the cost of their lives. One thousand one hundred and twenty nine journalists have been killed since 1992.

It is journalists and media workers who often expose violations of international humanitarian law and human rights by the warring parties, abuses by military and security forces, as well as the tyranny or repressive regimes. By doing so, they serve as early warning mechanisms, because as we know so well, human rights abuses often predece and predict conflicts and humanitarian catastrophes to come. The deliberate  targeting of journalists and media workers is often used as a tactic of intimidation and revenge by parties to the conflict who do not want their criminal actions  exposed.

For reporters, being in the midst of action is part of the job. They have to brave armed attacks,  cross enemy lines, or move along with the displaced or persecuted minorities. They go to places others seek to escape. They constantly push the limits of their own safety and security.

The spread of radical extremism and terrorism adds another highly dangerous dimension to the threats journalists and media workers are facing. The beheadings of Daniel Pearl, James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Kenji Goto and others are testimony to the rabid brutality of terrorists who target journalists not only to instill fear among those eager to expose their barbarity, but also to make news, to advertise themselves.

Local journalists, especially women journalists and freelancers are particularly exposed. According to the Committee for the Protection of Journalists, roughly 90 percent of those killed in conflict situations are local journalists. In September 2014 Da’esh captured and beheaded cameraman Raad al-Azzawi in Tikrit area. Earlier this month, Da’esh killed a Mosul journalist Firas al-Bahri because he refused to pledge allegiance to the terrorist group. In most cases, however, the deaths of local journalists and media workers pass unnoticed by the international community.

Syria continues to be the deadliest place for journalists. At least some 80 journalists have been killed in Syria since the conflict there began in 2011. The second and third places in journalist deaths were shared by Iraq and Ukraine, because of the ongoing Russia-sponsored and Russia- supported war against its sovereignty.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Koïchiro Matsuura, former Director-General of UNESCO, once said: ‘Every aggression against a journalist is an attack on our most fundamental freedoms. Press freedom and freedom of expression cannot be enjoyed without basic security’. I could not agree more.

Even if the legal framework for the protection of journalists has really evolved over the last decade, there is a need to reinforce existing international norms related to the protection of journalists, by clarifying, reinforcing or amending existing international framework.

There is also an urgent need to reinforce the implementation of legal norms and provisions, including the accountability gap. Less than five percent of the perpetrators of crimes against journalists have been prosecuted. In the majority of cases, the killers have never been found, and no investigation has been initiated.

It is the responsibility of all states to comply with their obligations to end impunity. Strengthening national legislation and tackling impunity for attacks against journalists would be an important contribution to their protection. The requirement to investigate, prosecute and punish any unlawful arrests and attacks against journalists and the criminalisation of any such unlawful behaviour should be an integral part of the fight against impunity.

Employer responsibility should also be strengthened, including with regard to local and freelance staff, in order to improve the environment in which journalist operate today. Media agencies should contribute to the common goal of the protection of journalists by elaborating and implementing more stringent and more inclusive safety provisions for journalists and media workers covering stories in conflict areas.

It is not just the traditional journalists who face threats. The rapid evolution of information technologies allow individuals to disseminate information freely and directly by using the internet and social media. Such individuals, bloggers, and independent reporters, are increasingly targeted, and their safety concerns need to be properly addressed.  

Ladies and gentlemen,

Although we understand that dangers and threats can never be completely prevented or eradicated and that journalists would still be targeted, not least due to the influence their stories and objective reporting can have on the transformation of conflicts as well as societies. This awareness, however, cannot justify inaction.

Attacks on journalists are, like all attacks on civilians, attacks on humanity. They are also attacks on the international community’s ability to understand and respond effectively to conflicts that threaten the international peace and security. Truth need not be the first casualty of war. Journalists need not be and should not be casualties of conflict. It is for this reason that Lithuania has submitted a draft resolution on the protection of journalists. We thank all Council delegations for cooperation, and all the co-sponsors for their support of our initiative.

The power of the media is essential for maintenance of international peace and security. It is our duty and responsibility to protect those who risk their lives in order to disclose and disseminate the truth.

Today, however, wars are fought not only by means of equipment and weaponry, but also through deliberate disinformation, propaganda, and media restrictions. As the warfare is becoming increasingly asymmetrical, and targeted propaganda is becoming just another weapon of war, there is a clear need for more comprehensive measures to ensure the independence of the media. To quote the French philosopher Helvétius, “To limit the press is to insult a nation; to prohibit reading of certain books is to declare the inhabitants to be either fools or slaves.” The fundamental freedoms of expression and information, part and parcel of the fundamental human rights, are at the core of the freedom and prosperity of our societies. By protecting journalists and media workers, we help to protect our own freedom.

I thank you for your attention.