UNESCO Report Highlights Misuse of Financial Charges to Target Journalists, Threatening Press Freedom

The report identifies government agencies and state authorities as the most frequent initiators of financial investigations against journalists, with many instances circumventing judicial oversight.

A new UNESCO report has highlighted a troubling rise in financial charges used against journalists and media outlets worldwide, revealing how charges such as extortion, tax evasion, and money laundering are weaponized to undermine journalism and erode public trust. Other charges include blackmail, terrorism financing, fraud, and illegally receiving foreign funds, with these tactics threatening the media's vital role in reporting and transparency.

Unlike defamation or libel, where links between content and charges may be scrutinized, financial accusations like tax evasion are often levied without requiring direct connections to editorial content, making it harder to distinguish legitimate investigations from attempts to suppress independent reporting.

State Actors and Administrative Tactics Intensify Legal Harassment

The report identifies government agencies and state authorities as the most frequent initiators of financial investigations against journalists, with many instances circumventing judicial oversight. For example, tax agencies or other fiscal authorities can impose financial investigations or freeze assets of journalists and outlets, often resulting in bankruptcy or self-censorship as individuals face potential financial ruin. These tactics, according to UNESCO, allow governments to block critical reporting under the guise of financial impropriety, creating an environment where journalists may be deterred from covering sensitive issues.

Regional Trends and Increased Sentencing

The report reveals stark regional disparities in financial harassment cases. From 2020 to 2024, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Pacific have seen a steep rise, with cases doubling compared to previous years. In Latin America and Africa, cases of tax evasion and extortion doubled over the past three years compared to the previous decade, and nine journalists faced jail sentences, with some as long as 12 years.

South Asia has also witnessed a surge in extortion charges against journalists, along with restrictions on foreign funding and accusations of terrorism financing, especially during politically sensitive periods such as elections, protests, and international events where host countries face increased scrutiny.

Growing Trend of Legal Attacks on Press Freedom

UNESCO’s analysis, based on 120 publicly documented cases and interviews with press freedom experts, lawyers, and journalists, suggests that the actual scale of legal harassment is likely underreported. Building on data from reports in 2021 and 2022, UNESCO calls for more transparency and scrutiny to address this trend.

The findings of this report underscore a significant threat to global press freedom, particularly in regions facing increased political and social unrest. By bringing international attention to this misuse of financial charges, UNESCO seeks to foster stronger legal protections for journalists and ensure that critical voices in media can operate without fear of financial retribution or suppression.