The case for emergency visas for journalists in exile

Around the world, democratic norms are declining, putting journalists in increasing danger. The past year has been the deadliest on record for the number of journalists killed. The number of media in jail at the end of 2023 is eclipsed only by 2022, including an unprecedented number of women. The number of journalists seeking help from the Rory Peck Trust (RPT), the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters sans Frontières has increased sharply -- to the extent that RPT's Assistance Fund had to close because demand in the first six months of 2024 had seen all the available funds used up. Most journalists do not want to leave their home countries, but some have no choice but to flee to avoid death or imprisonment. In such extreme cases, the window to safely exit their home country is often narrow – sometimes a matter of hours. Yet the number of pathways to sanctuary are limited. Moreover, there can be no guarantee that the United States will continue to be media freedom's 'protector of last resort' under a second Trump Administration.
In 2020, member states of the Media Freedom Coalition were urged by a High-Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom to introduce an emergency visa for journalists. Some of the world’s most distinguished jurists said doing so would have an “enormous impact in strengthening media freedom”. While Estonia, Latvia, Canada and others have implemented the policy, others have not. During the UK general election, the Rory Peck Trust, along with CPJ, led a campaign for the UK to heed the call by the legal experts. However, Germany - which has introduced a version of the scheme - is halting visas as it prepares to go to the polls in February.
The High-Level Panel of Legal Experts identified the provision of emergency visas for journalists in exile as the measure that would most improve the climate for press freedom around the world.
Moderated by Jon Williams.