Dec. 29 2023
Source Page: Media Freedom in Hong Kong – Media Freedom Coalition statementFound: Media Freedom in Hong Kong – Media Freedom Coalition statement
Oct. 04 2023
Source Page: The UK believes media freedom is essential to democracy, and democracy to media freedom.Found: The UK believes media freedom is essential to democracy, and democracy to media freedom.
Nov. 23 2023
Source Page: Media Freedom remains a vital component of shared security: UK statement to the OSCEFound: Media Freedom remains a vital component of shared security: UK statement to the OSCE
Oct. 30 2023
Source Page: New plans to promote media freedom and protect journalistsFound: New plans to promote media freedom and protect journalists
Jul. 14 2023
Source Page: Media Freedom Coalition statement on the attack on journalist Elena Milashina and Alexander NemovFound: Media Freedom Coalition statement on the attack on journalist Elena Milashina and Alexander Nemov
Written Evidence Apr. 16 2024
Inquiry: International relations within the multilateral systemFound: a partnership of over 50 countries working together to advocate for media freedom at home and abroad1
Asked by: David Morris (Conservative - Morecambe and Lunesdale)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the joint debate entitled Countering SLAPPs: an imperative for a democratic society, and Guaranteeing media freedom and the safety of journalists: an obligation of member States at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 25 January 2024.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK implements the Council of Europe campaign through the National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists. The FCDO is committed to media freedom. We raise violations across the world including through the Media Freedom Coalition to hold to account those abusing or restricting media freedom. We oppose all attempts by any state to restrict press freedom, silence debate, abuse journalists, or spread misinformation - whether online or offline. The FCDO facilitates sharing UK best practice, including on developing and implementing legislation and measures to counter Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), in international fora.
Mentions:
1: Lucy Frazer (Con - South East Cambridgeshire) It is often said that the freedom of the press protects not the press’s freedom but ours.It would not - Speech Link
2: Caroline Dinenage (Con - Gosport) Freedom and plurality are, of course, cornerstones of our media, and political interventions should always - Speech Link
3: Alexander Stafford (Con - Rother Valley) , because those are the growing media outlets? - Speech Link
4: Richard Foord (LD - Tiverton and Honiton) The Government-appointed director for freedom of speech and academic freedom has warned that foreign - Speech Link
Asked by: Lord Kempsell (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had about securing the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and what steps they are taking to promote media freedom globally.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have called for Evan Gershkovich's immediate release. Senior UK officials regularly raise his case with Russian counterparts. The UK also remains in close contact with the US, which is providing consular support. The UK has condemned the Russian state's systematic repression of media freedom in various fora, including the UN Human Rights Council, General Assembly and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). As a co-founder of the Media Freedom Coalition, the UK is committed to media freedom and holding to account those who violate or restrict it. Fifty coalition countries work together to promote and protect media freedom globally.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what estimate he has made of the number of journalists detained in China; and what steps he is taking to support media freedom in that country.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
There are severe restrictions on media freedom in China, and the situation for journalists is deteriorating. The Government notes Reporters Without Borders' credible estimate that 109 journalists and media workers are currently detained by China.
The Government supports media freedom and the right of journalists to do their job. We consistently raise our concerns bilaterally and multilaterally. For example, at China's Universal Periodic Review in January we called on China to cease restrictions on civil society and independent media, and raised the cases of Sophia Huang Xueqin and Zhang Zhan, among others. I raised human rights concerns with my counterparts during my visit to China in April, and the Foreign Secretary did so when he met China's Foreign Minister in February. British diplomats have also attempted to attend trials of civilian journalists and rights activists in China to demonstrate support.