Thread by @TRF

⭕️ Did you know a journalist is now killed every 5 days?

✏️ That means around 73 people a year lose their lives while fighting to tell important stories.

How did the situation become so dire?

Here are the 5⃣ biggest threats facing reporters globally. 🧵 #WorldPressFreedomDay

1⃣ Surging physical violence

⭕️ Holding power to account is increasingly putting the safety of reporters at risk.

⚖️ Yet 87% of these crimes go unpunished, according to @UNESCO. bit.ly/3EKBr3e

✏️ For war correspondents, the threat of physical harm can be especially dangerous.

🇺🇦 In fact, 18 have died so far while reporting on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

🏆 Our #KurtSchork Awards celebrate the heroes covering conflict around the world. bit.ly/3NaoG5A

2⃣ Rising tide of abuse

🗞️ Women journalists face an onslaught of online harassment – from threats to "doxxing".

♀️ 1 in 5 cases of virtual harm now lead to real-life attacks.

📚 Our guides with @UNESCO and @IWMF lays out steps to help them stay safe. tmsnrt.rs/3s6AX2n

📰 Abuse can compromise a reporter's work – forcing some to leave journalism altogether.

⭕️ For columnist @RanaAyyub, relentless attacks made her fear for her life.

📲 With @Jigsaw, we're launching TRFilter, a tool to help journalists manage harassment. bit.ly/3vGerxZ

3⃣ More threats from governments

🌏 Some countries are increasingly using smear campaigns to spread disinformation and demonise the media.

⭕️ @rapplerdotcom CEO @mariaressa is facing sentences totalling 100 years in jail for criticising Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte.

📲 Abuse can trickle down from above into brutal harassment campaigns.

🤳 Paired with little regulation from Big Tech, these attacks can warp public opinion.

🇧🇷 @folha journalist @camposmello shares Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro's attempts to discredit her. ⬇️

4⃣ New 'law-fare'

⚖️ Many reporters can face legal action in an attempt to create financial chokeholds and silence their work.

⭕️ But there is support available. Our legal network can help those facing mounting cases. medialegalhelp.org

⚖️ Covering fees
🤝 Pro-bono aid
⭕️ Strengthening cases

With the correct help, reporters are better equipped and empowered to fight back against legal threats. medialegalhelp.org

5⃣ A drop in profits

💸 More outlets are struggling to stay afloat as people's news diets change and different business models emerge.

This can affect how they serve the public without falling at the mercy of the highest bidder.

🖊️ It's vital we ensure the survival of the whole independent media landscape – not singular outlets.

📘 What kind of resilience strategies can help?

🎙️ @FundFreeMedia's @khadijapatel explains more. bit.ly/3LcDxLc

🗞️ What do you think is the biggest threat to journalism today?

🖊️ #MediaFreedom is more than just a human right...
🌎 It's essential to democracies and societies everywhere..

That’s why we’re committed to training journalists and supporting independent media around the world. ⬇️
trust.org/media-freedom/…