Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support journalists facing transnational repression.

The UK is committed to raising violations of media freedom across the world. We believe those abusing or restricting media freedom must be held to account. The Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) provides a powerful collective voice. As co-chairs, we work with our partners around the globe to promote and protect journalists and media workers. The MFC highlights specific issues of concern including the transnational repression of journalists and individual cases in statements and through advocacy. It has 13 Embassy-level networks in key countries such as the Philippines, Mexico and Bangladesh, and has encouraged member country embassies to work together locally in many countries. A range of support is available to individuals at risk of transnational repression, including practical guidance on GOV.UK and via the National Protective Security Authority. The UK also works through the UN and other multilateral fora like the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), to ensure the safety and protection of journalists.