Belgium promotes press freedom worldwide

As a member of the Media Freedom Coalition, our country works – through our FPS – to promote press freedom worldwide. Because a free press plays an indispensable role within a functioning democracy and a healthy, thriving society.

Fourth power

The right to free speech is a fundamental right and is stated as such in the Belgian Constitution and in various human rights treaties. This includes the right to form one's own opinion without interference, and the right to search for, receive and pass on information through all media. 

An independent, pluralistic and free press is therefore an indispensable part of a healthy, thriving society and also of a democracy. It's not without good reason that it is regarded as the ‘fourth power’ within a functioning and open democracy.

First and foremost, the press informs citizens so they can participate in public life and make informed choices.

It also takes on the role of watchdog and monitors whether those in power do not exceed their remit anywhere. That way, for example, it can uncover corruption and other illicit practices such as environmental crimes and exploitation.

At the same time, it can ensure that forgotten problems or injustices are placed on the agenda for discussion. Groups on the margins of society that are overlooked can be given a voice. By choosing different perspectives, the press can offer a more expansive view of a polarising issue.

Sometimes, journalists take on the role of human rights defenders. This allows them to peacefully take actions to promote or protect human rights.

Censorship

But for the press to be able to play its full role, it is crucial that journalists are able to do their job safely and independently and that is precisely what is lacking in many countries. Journalists are increasingly falling victim to restrictive legislation, punitive measures, censorship and (cyber) harassment. Authoritarian regimes in the process of emerging are no stranger to such measures, as they are often accompanied by an attack on the media.

Unfortunately, violence, forced disappearances, arbitrary detentions or torture are also no exception. Dozens of journalists die every year. In 2024, at least 68 journalists and media workers were killed in the course of their work, especially in conflict countries, according to UNESCO.

BBC Media Action

All such practices are unacceptable to our country. Protecting and promoting freedom of expression – including freedom of the press – are matters of priority within Belgian foreign policy. For years, our country has been committed to this on an international level, especially within the EU, the UN and the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe). Within the Council of Europe, we support a platform that promotes the safety of journalists in addition to the Journalists Matter campaign.

Our FPS regularly initiates actions such as during the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Every year, our embassy in Amman, Jordan takes part in a conference organised by a Jordanian NGO known as the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists. And our Directorate General for Development Cooperation supports BBC Media Action in Tanzania in an effort to boost the quality of radio journalism there.

Media Freedom Coalition

Furthermore, our country decided, on 3 May 2024, to join the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC). The fact that the World Press Freedom Day took place on that very date was certainly no coincidence.

The MFC is a coalition of 51 countries working together to promote media freedom. Members commit themselves to working actively to promote press freedom at home and abroad.

All continents are represented within the MFC. Most EU Member States belong to the coalition, which is currently co-chaired by Estonia and Germany. Its African members are Ghana, Sierra Leone and Botswana. In Asia, members include South Korea, Japan and the Maldives. From Latin America, Chile, Belize and Uruguay, among others, have joined.

A network of embassies

One of the most powerful tools at the MFC's disposal is its network of embassies. For example, the embassies of MFC Member States can jointly take on the task of monitoring local media freedom in the countries for which they have jurisdiction. If necessary, they can hold discussions with the government about issues that compromise media freedom or about reforms to improve media freedom.

The network can also meet with threatened journalists, act as an observer in lawsuits against journalists or raise awareness of concerns about media freedom by means of local MFC statements and social media.

Finally, embassies can organise events that emphasise the importance of robust journalism. For example, our embassy in Mexico City, in collaboration with Germany, organised a meeting to create awareness around violence against women journalists in Mexico.  And together with the MFC's co-chairs Germany and Estonia, our FPS Foreign Affairs hosted a debate in Brussels on ‘media freedom under pressure in a digital age: a gender perspective’.

Amal Clooney

Following various international days, the MFC issues statements. On 1 November 2024, for example, it addressed the issue of impunity for crimes against journalists. On 3 May 2024, it took up the cause of environmental journalism.

The MFC also speaks out about negative trends that erode press freedom – as recently in the cases of Georgia or Burkina Faso – or about cases of concern such as that of the journalist José Rubén Zamora in Guatemala. By doing this, it provides encouragement to journalists in those countries. Since joining the coalition, Belgium has signed all the declarations of the MFC.

In addition, the MFC prides itself on having a panel of top legal experts in media freedom. These are all the most talented figures in their field, such as Belgian Baroness Françoise Tulkens – a former Judge at the European Court of Human Rights – and celebrity Amal Clooney – one of Britain's top lawyers on international human rights and criminal law. Among other things, the panel of legal experts provides advice on reforms and legislation in the area of media freedom.

Furthermore, the MFC has recourse to 22 international NGOs, including Reporters Without Borders. The NGOs also provide advice to MFC members, draw attention to cases of concern and ensure that the coalition adequately addresses the priorities of journalists and media workers.

In short, press freedom is close to our country's heart. As a member of the MFC and together with all the other members, Belgium – via our FPS – will promote its importance worldwide.

Like to know more?

What is the MFC? - Media Freedom Coalition

Why media freedom matters