The Globe International Center (GIC) in collaboration with the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO has hosted a panel discussion on “Journalism under Digital Siege” dedicated to World Press Freedom Day today, on May 3, at the Open Society Forum (OSF) conference hall.

The forum was attended by representatives of international organizations such as the United Nations Office in Mongolia, the European Union Delegation to Mongolia, and the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, the US Embassy, the Franco-Mongolian Center, the International Republican Institute and The Asia Foundation. Government organizations such as Supreme Courts, the General Election Commission, the Communications Regulatory Commission, the Media Center of the General Police, the Media Council, the Open Society Forum, civil society organizations such as Amnesty International Mongolia, representatives from the University of the Humanities, and the Mongolian National University of Sciences and Technology, University of Culture and Arts, School of Radio and Television, CITI University, Ulaanbaatar-Erdem University, and finally, representatives of traditional and electronic media organizations such as Eagle, TV9, NTV, MNB, UBS, Mongol TV, TV8, TV7 and gogo.mn, dens.mn, news.mn, npa.mn, time.mn, montsame.mn, a total of 63 people participated.

In her opening remarks, Kh.Naranjargal, Chairman of the Board of GIC, said, “Mongolia has been celebrating World Press Freedom Day since 1993. It is gratifying to note that the Mongolian Union of Free Journalists has started celebrating this day for the first time. A positive development for journalism and journalists in 2021 is the fact that two journalists won the Nobel Peace Prize. According to Reporters without Borders' 2022 Index, Mongolia ranks 90th out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom, down 22 places from last year. It reminds us to do better in the future.” Press Freedom Day 2022 focuses on the impact of the digital age on journalism around the world and in Mongolia, including online and/or cyber-attacks and transparency as a public good” and media viability and public trust in the media. According to a survey conducted by our organization among 233 journalists in urban and rural areas, this issue is also acute in our country. ” Afterwards, the invited delegates and participants paid tribute to the journalists killed in Ukraine.

In his opening remarks, Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia, reiterated his call for "the Government of Mongolia to do its utmost to promote a free, independent, multi-faceted media and civil society." "This includes measures to protect journalists from any threats, such as cyber surveillance and other forms of harassment and punishment," he said. "Any harm to journalists and media workers, including cyber spying must be stopped." He added, “I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the important role of the media in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations calls on the media and journalists to work hard to implement the SDGs.”

Axelle Niceise, Ambassador of the European Union to Mongolia said, “On World Press Freedom Day, we celebrate the vital role of a free press, as well as the fact that reliable and accurate news is a pillar of democracy. The quality of the democratic process depends on freedom of expression, freedom of the media, and pluralism. However, we see many attempts to narrow and systematically disrupt the free media space. Many journalists have lost their lives or risked their lives to reveal the truth. I want to pay tribute to these journalists. The safety of journalists is a priority for the European Union. We focus on civil and political rights in Mongolia, including freedom of the press and human rights defenders. There is no democracy without a free press.”

Professor Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Office in Beijing, delivered a video greeting to promote and support governance.” He also called on all stakeholders to “participate in the urgent introduction of media and information literacy and digital literacy” as a way to “drive this evolving field of information for all citizens, including youth, people with disabilities and other minority groups, and this way then would enable them to be a part of it.”

S. Boldsaikhan, Secretary General for the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, said, “Rather than celebrating this day, we want it to be a day to unite our voices for freedom of the press, to identify the issues we face and to discuss solutions. Rapidly evolving electronic and advanced technologies are transforming journalism and bringing new opportunities. Today, thanks to social media, we have access to an unprecedented amount of information. However, this opportunity poses new challenges. This makes it difficult for free, independent, pluralistic and professional journalism to exist. According to a UNESCO study, attacks on female journalists and cyber-bullying are common in cyberspace. Seven out of 10 female journalists surveyed said they had been "victims of cyber-bullying." As a result of these and other issues, over the past five years, about 85 percent of the world's population has experienced a decline in press freedom at home. ”

Prior to the main discussion, B.Purevsuren, a lawyer at the GIC, made a presentation on “Freedom of the Press in the COVID-19 Period”. The first part of the report presents the results of OSF and IFEX-supported surveys on the safety of journalists as well as civil and political rights violations. The results of the study also highlight three key issues in the UNESCO concept for this year's WPFDay.