At a time when press freedom around the world is being challenged by strict laws and journalists are being murdered in the line of duty, this panel instigated by the G7 to ‘promote best practice to protect a free media’ shows a firm commitment to defend media freedom and highlight assaults and restrictions on journalists globally.
The renowned lawyer, Amal Clooney, will chair the panel and work with UK Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, in recruiting other board members. The panel of legal experts will examine legal and policy initiatives that states can adopt, including offering advice to governments that want to strengthen legal mechanisms to improve media freedom, supporting the repeal of outdated and draconian laws, helping to ensure existing laws and obligations are enforced, and promoting best practice to protect a free media. The UK’s Foreign Office will co-host an International Conference on Media Freedom in the UK on 10 and 11 of July alongside the Canadian Government.
